His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Dr Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Jaffna. The appointment was officially announced on Monday, June 29.
Born in Jaffna in 1966, Bishop Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Colombo in the year 2000. During his priestly ministry, he has served in a variety of pastoral, educational, and administrative roles.
He holds a Baccalaureate in Theology (B.Th.) from Rome, a Bachelor of Mathematics (B.Math.) from the
University of Jaffna, a Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed.) from Colombo, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the United Kingdom, and both Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees from the University of Jaffna.
On July 13, 2020, the late Pope Francis appointed Bishop Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo. He was ordained bishop on August 29, 2020. Subsequently, on August 19, 2024, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Batticaloa, a role he continues to serve.
Bishop Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam succeeds Rt. Rev. Dr.Justin Gnanapragasam, who is retiring after serving as Bishop of Jaffna. With this appointment by the Holy Father, he becomes the new shepherd of the Diocese of Jaffna.
The Apostolic Letter of Appointment from Pope Leo XIV was read publicly by Bishop Justin Gnanapragasam during a special gathering of the clergy held at the Bishop’s House in Jaffna on Monday, June 29, formally announcing the Holy Father’s decision to the priests of the diocese.
