New Bishop of Trincomalee appointed by Pope

The Pope has accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Joseph Kingsley Swampillai, from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Trincomalee, in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law and has appointed Rev. Noel Emmanuel Christian, presently Episcopal Vicar and General Treasurer of the same diocese as the new Bishop of Trincomalee, Vatican Radio reported. Rev. Dr. Christian Noel Emmanuel, was born December 25, 1960, in Trincomalee. After secondary school, he entered the St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary. In the years 1978 – 1981 he studied philosophy at the National Seminary of Kandy. From 1981 to 1982 he did a year of regency with pastoral work. In 1983 he entered the St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Triruchirappally, in India, where, in 1986, he finished his theological studies. He was ordained deacon 12 March, 1985 and was incardinated in the then undivided Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa. He received priestly ordination on May 21, 1986, in the Cathedral of Trincomalee.