Colombo (AsiaNews) – Catholic bishops and charities are using Lent as a time to mobilise Christians to heal the wounds left by 25 years of war. Church leaders chose ‘Rebuilding lives though peace and reconciliation’ as this year’s theme. They stress that this time of prayer, fast and penitence has special meaning in 2010, as the country tries to recover after years of interethnic conflict. They say the war might be over but so many lives lay shattered. The number of refugees, widows, orphans, wounded and disabled runs in the tens of thousands.

“We want to share with everyone the reconciliation between God and man, which Jesus Christ delivered in his sacrifice,” said Mgr Harold Anthony Perera, head of the Justice and Peace Commission, in his Lent message. “As we get ready to fast, pray and share the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we want to bring reconciliation to our people, who hunger and thirst for healing and redress.”

At this time of the year, repentance and conversion are called for, the bishop said, “the more so now that the war is over. For decades, our nation endured a time of tragedy, violence and suffering. Now the sun has broken through the clouds and its light is giving our people hope in a lasting peace.”

In his message, Mgr Perera referred to internally displaced people (IDP) who are still cause for tensions.

“So many IDPs are still homeless, abused and traumatised by the war and political conflict . . . . It is high time we offered them justice, compassion and love so that they can live like men and women full of dignity.”

Caritas Sri Lanka director Fr George Sigamoney also issued a statement. In it, he called on Christians to work on rebuilding the lives of those who lived through 25 years of war.

“A great task lies ahead,” he said. We must “see the humanity of those in front us, and establish a society that is free of partiality, injustice, violence and discrimination.”

For this purpose, Caritas Sri Lanka had a poster (pictured) and a booklet printed to be freely distributed at its centres and in local parishes.

Fr Sigamoney, too, focused on the plight of refugees. “IDPs have been put in camps, where life is hard. Many have been transfered but problems persist. They must return to their villages of origin and be allowed to earn a living.”

“Christ died on Calvary for us. He gave his body and blood to save us from sin and desperation. Now we can bear witness to his compassion in a sacrifice of love, kindness and charity in favour of our brothers and sisters. The lives of people who suffer at present shall be touched by love.”