The Catholic Church in the north of Sri Lanka should seriously re-think its role in the civil conflict, and decide once and for all which side it’s actually on. Is it the side of Jesus Christ and his peace – or the side of Prabhakaran and his murderous terrorists?
(August 13, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) We as Catholics and Christians living overseas were overjoyed to learn that on instructions given by his Holiness the Pope, to Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar the LTTE terrorists were finally asked to vacate the premises of the Holy Madhu church. The Sri Lanka Army made a magnanimous gesture by agreeing to repair and prepare the premises for the annual Madhu festival. All this good work has been neutralized by the Bishop’s refusal to hold the festival. The main reasons given by him are:
1. “the statue of Our Lady of Madhu will be taken to the Madhu Church and enthroned after a penitential and purification service and any feast would be celebrated after that”
Has the Statue been desecrated in some way after it was removed to another location
by the LTTE? Did all these requirements and the environment prevail in Thevanpiddy in the LTTE held area when the statue of our Lady of Madu was moved there?
2. “and would require time for the return of normalcy”
More information is required by the devotees as the Government has indicated that
the conditions are conducive to hold the annual feast.
3. “However we regret to inform the faithful and the devotees that we are not in a position to have the traditional August festival this time with the usual solemnities,”
The Sri Lankan government has assured to give all the help he needs to make it a success
4. “LTTE nor the Government had yet properly agreed to make the Madhu Church and its vicinity a ‘No Conflict Zone’ on the lines mentioned in the appeal by the Bishop of Mannar and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka”
But, the President of Sri Lanka pursuant to his discussions with His Holiness the Pope
accepted that Madhu area will be a ‘no Conflict zone” proving that the Government of
Sri Lanka recognizes the importance of Madhu Church.
The security Forces have restored peace and normalcy to the precincts of the church and the Government has declared it a “No Conflict Zone”Why does he think that the situation will change and if so who will make it happen?? It would definitely not be the devotees or the Security Forces. When it is evident that the entire country is engulfed in LTTE terrorism (and its local and international support bases) it is rather puzzling to comprehend the demand of the Bishop of Mannar.
He needs to answer these simple questions before trying to appease a handful of people fearful of accrediting the holding of the festival to the people who made it possible. It is indeed confusing that he is denying this privilege to thousands of Sri Lankans of all religions on the sole ‘instructions’ of the Tigers.
Therefore, we appeal to the Holy Father to instruct the Bishop of Mannar to prepare to celebrate this much-anticipated festival even at a later date to enhance the spiritual well-being of the people of Sri Lanka. It would be a colossal disappointment to the thousands of devotees who yearn to go on pilgrimage to Madhu for the annual event.
Francis Kurukulasuriya(Australia)
Rev. Fr.Tony de Alwis(Britain)
Gyan & Nirmala de Mel (Australia)
Oswin de Alwis(Australia)
Sarath & Ruth de Mel(Australia)
Malkanthi Munasinha Perera(Canada)
Nimal and Jasmine Perera (USA)
Nadeesha Perera. (Australia)
Sandamali Subodini. (Australia)
Palitha Silva (Australia)
Nihal & Jean de Mel(Australia)
Lakshman de Silva(Australia)
Dr.Olga Mendis(Australia)
Chandrika Wickramasinghe(Indonesia)
Shanthie de Mel(Australia)
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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