Mannar, Sri Lanka. Eight Claretian deacons were ordained priests on May 22, 2025, at St.
Sebastian’s Cathedral, Mannar, by Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthonippillai Gnanapragasam, Bishop of Mannar. Seven belong to the St. Joseph Vaz Independent Delegation (JVID), and one to the Province of Germany.
The newly ordained priests are Fr. Aquinas Culas CMF, Fr. Merinraj CMF, Fr. Kingsley Suresh CMF, Fr. Ithayaraj CMF, Fr. Iruthayaraj CMF, Fr. Stephanraj CMF, and Fr. Rubeshan CMF (JVID), and Fr. Vinoraj CMF (Germany).
Present at the celebration were Fr. J. M. Joseph Jeyaseelan CMF, Major Superior of JVID, and Fr. Joseph Calistus CMF, Provincial of Germany, along with many Claretians, clergy, and religious.
This ordination marks a joyful milestone for the Congregation, strengthening its mission both in Sri Lanka and in the Germany.
