ASIA/SRI LANKA - The Pope appoints Bishop of Ratnapura

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 4 May 2007 appointed as Bishop of Ratnapura (Sri Lanka), Rev. Fr. Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, O.S.B., until now Prior of the Monastery of Saint Silvester in Kandy.
The Bishop elect, Fr Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, O.S.B., was born on 6 September 1947, in Seeduwa, archdiocese of Colombo. He attended local Catholic schools and then studied philosophy and theology at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka, Kandy. He is a member of the Congregation of Sylvestrine Benedictines, having made his first profession on 28 February 1965 and his solemn profession on 17 February 1971. He was ordained a priest on 4 August 1973 for the same Congregation. Since then he has ministered as follows: 1973-1975: hospital and prison chaplain in Kandy and assistant priest at Padiwatte (Kandy); 1975-1978: assistant priest at Wahakotte (Kandy); 1978-1981: specialisation in Liturgy at S. Anselmo College (Rome); 1981-1982: parish priest at Katugastota (Kandy); 1982-1985: assistant priest at Rajagiryia (Colombo); 1985-1993: parish priest at Wahakotte (Kandy) and Superior of the Benedictine Community at the Monastery of St Anthony; 1993-2002: Vicar General of Kandy; parish priest at the Cathedral (1993-2000); director of the diocesan pastoral centre; diocesan youth coordinator; delegate for Catholic schools; parish priest at Katugastota (2000-2002). Since 2002 Prior Conventual (Major Superior ad instar Provincialis according to Benedictine constitutions) of the Monastery of Saint Silvester in Kandy; Visiting professor at National Major Seminary in Kandy and spiritual director at the minor seminary in Kandy.
The Diocese of Ratnapura (1995), suffragan of Colombo, has an area of 4,968sq km, a population of 1,787,938 including 19, 532 Catholics (36%) gathered in 21 parishes, assisted by 34 priests (28 diocesan and 6 religious), 70 Sisters and there are 10 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/5/2007; Righe 23; Parole 295)