Fr. Peduru Arulnathan OMI was born as the second child of Peter and Maria on March 03, 1948. He learned primary education at Saravanai, Sinnamadu R.C.T.M.V., his intermediate education at Velanai Central College, and his higher education at St. Antony’s College, Kayts.
He joined the Oblate Juniorate at Nugegoda, Colombo in 1970. In 1977, he entered into the Oblate Novitiate in Bandarawella and completed it with his first profession in the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. After completing his philosophy and theology at the National Seminary, Ampitya on August 29, 1980, he was ordained a priest by Rt. Rev. Dr. Bastiampillai Deogupillai, Bishop of Jaffna at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.
He began his priestly ministry in the diocese of Jaffna as the assistant parish priest of St. Antony’s Church — Chunnakam, St. Peter’s Church — Mullaitivu and St. Anne’s Church — Valaipadhu. Having gained his experiences as assistant parish priest he became the parish priest of many parishes in the diocese of Mannar, namely St. Mary’s Church — Omanthai, St. Anne’s Church — Vankalai, St. Lawrence Church — Thalaimannar, Christ the King Church — Chithamparapuram, Vavuniya, St. Mary’s Church — Vidataltivu, St. Francis Xavier Church — Thevanpiddy and Our Lady of Refuge — Illupaikulam. He served 30 long years in the diocese of Mannar; 29 years as parish priest and one year as the spiritual director to the Sisters of Charity at Pampaimadhu, Vavuniya. For the last 8 years he was living at Fr. Mathew’s Memorial Home, Swamiyar Veethi, Colombuthurai, Jaffna where he died on March 16, 2020. The cause of death according to his death certificate is Cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to Bronchial asthma Hypertension.
Though Fr. Arulnathan, OMI is no more with us physically now, his memory remains never-ending. Goodbye to you dear Father, may you rest in peace.
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