Victor Gnanapragasam
His Grace Victor Gnanapragasam | |
|---|---|
Roman Catholic Church | |
| See | Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta |
| In office | 2010 - 2020 |
| Successor | Khalid Rehmat OFM (Cap.) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 21 December 1966 |
| Consecration | 16 July 2010 by Adolfo Tito Yllana |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 21, 1940 |
| Died | December 12, 2020 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Previous post(s) | Apostolic Prefect |
Father Victor Gnanapragasam
Early life and education
He was born in
Priesthood
He took his final vows and was ordained a priest on December 21, 1966.[1] He has served in Pakistan as a priest since 1973 and is a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Pakistan.[2][3]
He has been a
He was appointed to the post of Apostolic Prefect Of Quetta in December 2001.[4]
Fr. Victor was also at the Vatican for the Ad limina Apostolorum visit of the Pakistani Bishops in June 2008.[5]
On 29 April 2010 Pope Benedict XVI elevated the apostolic prefecture of Quetta, to the rank of Apostolic vicariate, with the same name and territorial configuration as before. He appointed Fr. Victor as apostolic vicar of the new ecclesiastical circumscription and the titular bishop of Timida.[6]
Consecration
He was consecrated Bishop at
Current events
Heightened security following unrest in Balochistan has resulted in logistical problems for Gnanapragasam in 2019. His cathedral is in the same area as the army barracks and so he requires a special pass to travel to and fro. This is further exacerbated by frequent police/army checks. The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has said that his government will look into “the plight of the oppressed and weakest segments of the society, including minorities.”[7]
Death
He died on December 12, 2020, because of a heart attack.[8] The funeral of Bishop Gnanapragasam took place at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Quetta on December 15, 2020. The funeral service was led by Cardinal Joseph Coutts accompanied by all the bishops of Pakistan. He was buried in the garden of the Cathedral.[9]
On January 1, 2021,
References
- ^ CatInfor.com
- ^ Catholic hierarchy
- ^ Oblate information
- ^ "First Apostolic Prefect Of Quetta Installed UCANews.com 12 April 2002".
- ^ "The Christian faith is alive in the desert of Baluchistan Agenzia Fides 17/6/2008".
- ^ EWTN TV
- ^ Aleteia 7 December 2019
- ^ "Sri Lankan missionary bishop dies in Pakistan - UCA News". ucanews.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ AsiaNews December 16, 2020
- ^ UCANews January 2, 2021
External links
Quotations related to Victor Gnanapragasam at Wikiquote
