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by | Mar 18, 2018 | Dryopteris

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Keerthisiri Fernando (Sinhala: කීර්තිසිරි ප්‍රනාන්දු හිමිපාණන්, born 5 May 1961) is the sixth Bishop of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.

Early Life and Education

Wannakuwatte Mitiwaduge Devapriya Keerthisiri Fernando was born in Colombo on 5 May 1961, the son of David Fernando and Neeta Perera. Fernando attended the Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa, from 1967 to 1980.[2]

In 1989, Fernando received his Bachelor of Theology from the University of Serampore in India. He was subsequently ordained as a priest in the Church of Ceylon on 30 November 1990.[citation needed] In 1993 he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from University of Serampore. From 1996 to 2010 he served in various positions at the Theological College of Lanka in Pilimatalawa. In 2001 he received a Master of Philosophy (Sociology with theological implications) from the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka and in 2005 he received a Master of Philosophy (Theology and Sociology of Religion) from the University of Kent.[citation needed]

Ecclesiastical Career

In 1996, he was posted to the Theological College of Lanka, Pilimatalawa as a lecturer. He served as Chaplain, Director of Field Education until 2010 and as Acting Principal. In 2011 he became the incumbent of the Holy Emmanuel Church, Moratuwa[3] and in 2015 he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Lavinia. On 29 April 2016 he was installed as the 5th Archdeacon of Nuwara Eliya.[4][5]

Episcopal Service

On 21 September 2017, he was elected to the position of Bishop of Kurunegala.[3][6] On 6 January 2018 he was ordained as the 6th Bishop of Kurunegala at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Kurunegala.[citation needed]

In December 2020, the Archbishop of Canterbury appointed him as the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Ceylon. [citation needed]

On 17 May 2022, he received a Doctor of Divinity from St Andrew's Theological University in India.[citation needed]

Resignation and Later Service

On 24 September 2022, he announced his resignation as bishop, citing personal reasons. The Archbishop of Canterbury appointed him as Acting Bishop until a replacement was made.[7] Rt. Rev. Nishantha Fernando succeeded him as the 7th Bishop of the diocese after the election of the Bishop was held in Kurunegala on December 17[8].

Recent Appointment

On July 20, 2024, Fernando was officially commissioned as the Vicar of St Peter’s Church, Murrumbeena within the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne of the Anglican Church of Australia by The Rt. Rev. Genieve Blackwell, Assistant Bishop of the Marmingatha Episcopate in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.[9]

Bibliography

  • Fernando, Keerthisiri (2009). Integrity and Integration of Christian Community in Sri Lanka. S. Godage & Brothers. ISBN 9789552099649.
  • Fernando, Keerthisiri (2009). Religion & Identity. S. Godage & Brothers. ISBN 9789552099656.
  • Fernando, Keerthisiri (2021). Ethnicity, Religion & Identity. S. Godage & Brothers. ISBN 9786240008068.
  • Fernando, Keerthisiri (2019). Ethno-Religious Identities. Theological College of Lanka, Pilimathalawa
  • Fernando, Keerthisiri with Rasika Abeysinghe (2018). Christian Worship and Liturgy. Diocese of Kurunagala, Church of Ceylon

See also

References

  1. ^ "5th Archdeacon of Nuwaraeliya - Installation Service". Diocese of Colombo. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Prince of Wales College - Old Cambrians Database". Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b Holy Emmanuel Church, Moratuwa: A towering monument of faith, Dilshan Joseph (2019) Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 7 March 2019
  4. ^ "Rev. Keerthisiri Fernando 5th Archdeacon of Nuwaraeliya". Diocese of Colombo. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  5. ^ Harrison, Ted (16 June 2017). "The Cost of a Cup of Tea". Church Times. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  6. ^ "The New Bishop of Kurunegala, Ven. Keerthisiri Fernando". Diocese of Colombo. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  7. ^ Kuruluwansa, Asela. "Kurunegala Bishop resigns". DailyNews.lk. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  8. ^ "The seventh Bishop of Diocese of Kurunegala is elected". 17 December 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Commissioning of The Rt. Rev. Keerthisiri Fernando as Vicar of St Peter's Church, Murrumbeena". 20 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Kurunegala
2017 – present 		Succeeded by
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