Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (30 October 2003) appointed Bishop of Anuradhapura, (Sri Lanka) Reverend Father Norbert Andradi OMI, Superior of the OMI Scholasticate in Kandy and OMI Provincial Counsellor.
Reverend Father Norbert Andradi was born on 30 August 1949 at Maggona, Kalutara, archdiocese of Colombo. He is a member of the Congregation of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. He studied for the priesthood in Sri Lanka at the national seminary, in Rome obtaining a licentiate in theology at the Gregorian University and in Canada at St Paul’s University where he obtained a doctorate in dogmatic theology. He was ordained a priest on 10 May 1980. He has since been: assistance and parish priest at Anuradhapura cathedral; member of the Formation team at OMI Scholasticate, Kandy; professor and dean of theology at the major national seminary, Kandy and since 1997 he has been Superior of the OMI Scholasticate in Kandy and OMI provincial counsellor.
The diocese of Anuradhapura has an area of over 10,000 sq. km and a population of 1,4 million of whom only 12,500 are Catholics, gathered in 13 parishes, served by 14 diocesan priests, 6 religious priests assisted by 51 women religious. There are 7 major seminarians. (Fides Service 17/11/2003 EM lines 18 Words: 226)
