Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Ponniah from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, effective August 19, as confirmed by Vatican sources.
Born on October 12, 1952, in Thannamunai, Bishop Ponniah was ordained a priest on April 30, 1980. His journey as a bishop began when he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese on May 24, 2008, and consecrated shortly thereafter.
Pope Benedict XVI entrusted him with a pioneering role on July 3, 2012, naming him the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Batticaloa.
His consecration as the inaugural bishop took place on September 23, 2012.
Over the years, he served not only as a dedicated shepherd to his flock but also held key roles in the Sri Lankan Church, including as Vice Chairman of the Catholic National Commissions for Education, Catechetics, Bible Apostolate, Missionary Activity, Liturgy, and Culture. Additionally, he was an active member of the finance committee.
Throughout his 44 years of priesthood and 16 years as a bishop, Bishop Ponniah was known for his unwavering commitment to the growth and welfare of the diocese. His pastoral zeal and dedication left a lasting impact on the community.
The Diocese of Batticaloa, which was established on July 3, 2012, currently has over 44,200 Catholics spread across 32 parishes, according to Vatican data from 2023.
The Holy Father has appointed P. Anton Ranjith, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Batticaloa.
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