ordained priest in modern times, and now Bishop of Chilaw, Ceylon, Mgr. Edmund Pieris, 0.M.1., former Rector of Barella Seminary, has seen in the last year his diocese become impoverished by loss of trade as the result of the war.
Yet Ceylon dues her best along with the rest of the British Empire with men and gifte to help in the common struggle. Many students from the Bishop's schools have already joined the Forces, and they include his own nephew.
Bishop Pieris is anxious for the future welfare of his flock and diocesan institutions, and funds being low, he finds it difficult to accommodate more prospective students for the priesthood, now in the waiting-list, in the new junior seminary he has recently opened.
Chilaw Diocese represents an interesting venture made by the Holy See a year ago, when on its creation it decided that the diocese .should be staffed entirely by native clergy and religious.
The new mission stations have now been opened, also two schools, and an industrial school is in course of erection. Converts from paganism are coming in, 35 having been baptized in one village alone, and even non-Catholics are helping in various ways the new native diocese.
Bishop Pieris at one time spent several years in London. not only in special studies, but he also engaged in parochial work. His address is, Bishop's House, Werinappuwa, Ceylon, or c/o'. Mr. V. O'Connor, 20 Hawke Street, Stocks Lane, Stalybridge, Cheshire.