Bishop Deogupillai passes away

[TamilNet, Saturday, 26 April 2003, 15:59 GMT]
Jaffna's twelfth Bishop Most Reverend Dr Bastiampillai Deogupillai (1917-2003) passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday at the age of 86. The entire Catholic community and Tamils, irrespective of religion, are mourning the death of a veteran Bishop who stood for justice and peace through dialogue. His funeral is to be held on Monday evening at Jaffna St. Mary's Cathedral church, sources said.

He was remembered for his services during the turbulent period when Tamil people and Tamil youth in particular suffered under the indiscriminate violence by the security forces. He led his people through bloody wars, riots and racial conflicts, sources said.

Bishops from other parts of the country, catholic cabinet ministers, political leaders and parliamentarians are expected to attend the funeral, sources said.

Ordained on December 21 in the year 1941 Dr.Deogupillai first became the Auxiliary Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese in 1967. He was elevated as Bishop in 1972.

Born on 9.04.1917 at Karampon in Kayts he obtained primary education at Kayts St Anthony's College. Later he joined Jaffna St Patrick's College for higher education.

On his return from Rome, for some time he was Parish Priest of Karaveddy and Ilavalai in Jaffna. He later functioned as Principal of Karaveddy Sacred Heart College, Anuradhapura St.St.Joseph's College, Ilavalai St.Henry College and Colombagam Teacher Training College.

He took charge of the Jaffna diocese in 1972 following the demise of Jaffna Bishop Dr.Emiliyanuspillai. He retired after twenty years as Jaffna Bishop, sources said.

The Jaffna University conferred Doctorate on him for his literary contributions he made to the Tamil literature in the sphere of religion and folk art, University officials said.