Sampathawaduge Maxwell Grenville Silva

Born to a devoted Roman Catholic family of Stanley John Silva and Eugene Victoria Dias. He was the second child of a family of four and the eldest of three brothers. He initially entered the Roman Catholic School in Willorawatte and later entered St. Sebastian College, Moratuwa[2] where he completed his secondary education. As a child he was very much attached to the St. Charles Borommeo parish, Willorawatte [3] and has been a devoted member of the Legion of Mary. Young Maxwell Silva was greatly attached to the 'Brookside' St. Joseph's Convent- Piliyandala where he served as an Alter Server for many years.

Neither his parents John and Eugene Silva, nor his family observed signs of his calling when he was a child. He entered the St Aloysius Minor Seminary on May 3, 1967 after his General Ordinary Level examination. It is said that the Jesuit priests (related to him from his mother's family) was inspirational in this vocational call and with the blessings of his parents he chose the way to priesthood. He excelled in both studies and in sports.

In 1971 he gained admission to the Harwarden Intermediate Seminary at Haputhale and on February 9, 1974 he entered the National Seminary in Ampitiya[4] with God's guidance for the formation of the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 1981, alongside several other deacons at St. Lucia's Cathedral by Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo.

Since then he has served in the parishes of Dalugama (1981-1983), Thibbotugoda (1983-1986),[5] Mabola and Kerawelapitiya.

Diocese responsibilities

• Chaplain for the Youth Activities in Kandana
• Chaplain for the Catholic Teachers' Solidarity
• Head of Kotte Deanery

In addition to the Degree in Theology from Rome, he completed his Degree of the Bachelor of Arts from University of Keleniya[6] and subsequently the master's degree in Sociology also from the same university amidst parish responsibilities. He also obtained a Diploma in Education and Masters in Arts from the National Institution of Education.[7]

He was the first to join the Governmental service as a Catholic priest under the direction of Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo and was posted to St. Joseph's College, Grandpass[8] as his first appointment.

Subsequently, he was assigned as the Vice Principal of the Ragama Basilica College and his final appointment was as the Principal of St Thomas' College Kotte[9] which he relinquished upon his elevation as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo. His teaching carrier spans over 20 years.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the one of the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Colombo (alongside Rt. Rev Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando) on Nov. 28, 2011. He was the fourth priest to enter the episcopacy from Moratuwa following His Lordships Bishop Julian Winston Fernando, Bishop Marius Peiris, Bishop Valence Mendis.

The Episcopal Consecration took place on February 11, 2012 at St.Lucia's Cathedral,Colombo. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo presided as the Principal Consecrator along with Most Rev Archbishop Joseph Spiteri (former Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka) and Rt. Rev Bishop Rayappu Joseph[10] (Bishop Emeritus of Mannar).

He was officially named as the Titular Bishop of Lesina.