Jerome Emilianuspillai

Right Reverend Jerome Emilianuspillai (20 July 1901 – 17 July 1972) was a Ceylon Tamil priest and Roman Catholic Bishop of Jaffna.

Rt Rev.

Jerome Emilianuspillai

OMI
Bishop of Jaffna
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ProvinceColombo
DioceseJaffna
Installed18 July 1950
Term ended17 July 1972
PredecessorAlfred-Jean Guyomard
SuccessorBastiampillai Deogupillai
Personal details
Born(1901-07-20)20 July 1901
Wennappuwa, Ceylon
Died17 July 1972(1972-07-17) (aged 70)
Alma materSt. Patrick's College, Jaffna

Early life and family

Emilianuspillai was born on 20 July 1901 in Wennappuwa in western Ceylon.[1] His father was a teacher in Wennappuwa.[2] He was educated at St Patrick's College, Jaffna.[3]

Career

Emilianuspillai was ordained as a priest in July 1929.[1] In July 1950 he became Bishop of Jaffna.[1][4] He was the first Tamil Catholic bishop of Ceylon.[2]

He inspired everyone to pray with trust and deep conviction. His sermons which reflected his profound faith were simple and clear and touched the heart of hearers. [5]

He visited the priests often,especially those who worked in far-off and difficult missions. He took much interest in the spiritual and material well being of all Religious Congregations. He closely followed their growth and ongoing formation, helping and encouraging them. [5]

Emilianuspillai died on 17 July 1972.[1]

References
  1. "Bishop Jerome Emilianus Pillai, O.M.I." Catholic Hierarchy.
  2. "Jaffna Catholics Recall First Native Tamil Bishop". Union of Catholic Asian News. 17 July 1999.
  3. "Past Bishops". St Patrick's College, Jaffna Old Boys' Association, Colombo Branch. Archived from the original on 2014-03-23.
  4. "History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaffna. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11.
  5. "Inauguration of Bishop Emilianuspillai Memorial Home in Jaffna". Daily News. 18 January 2002.
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