Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lanka and its people face an extremely uncertain future but as Christmas draws near, “it is necessary to keep praying and to hope for a tomorrow of peace.” The apostolic nuncio of former Ceylon, Mgr Mario Zenari, still believes the country can regain peace and serenity after witnessing the devastation of the tsunami, the murder at Christmas of a Catholic politician in Batticaloa Cathedral and the resumption of civil war in the north-east. The Vatican diplomat said: “The heart of the problem is that radical change is needed, a conversion of hearts of all those concerned in this painful conflict, including us Christians.”

AsiaNews interviewed the nuncio upon his return from a visit to Jaffna (6 – 7 December), where civilians are gripped by a severe humanitarian crisis, caught in crossfire between the army and separatist guerrillas. “I had only a 24-hour stay in Jaffna. My intention was to communicate my solidarity and I was able to go thanks to a chartered flight arranged by UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees],” said Mgr Zenari. As soon as he arrived, the nuncio met the local bishop, Mgr Thomas Savundaranayagam, and priests of the diocese, who told him about the tragic situation facing the people.

On the morning of 7 December, the Vatican delegate celebrated a “beautiful” mass with the bishop. “During the Eucharistic celebration, I invited the religious present to experience and communicate the compassion of Jesus to all our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka, to see and love our neighbour with the eyes of Jesus… With all our charity and relief works we must continue to express our deep love for others by emphasizing human value and dignity.”

Mgr Zenari said: “What the country really needs is a true and profound conversion of hearts of all, including us Christians.”

During his visit, the nuncio met the wife of Vimalathas, the man who disappeared in August near a military checkpoint in Allaipiddy together with a Catholic priest, Fr Jim Brown. When the nuncio went to Rome last September, he brought the disappearance of the two men to the attention of the pope. “The pontiff expressed alarm at the news and when he heard about the numerous other cases of human rights violations in Sri Lanka,” he said. Together with Mgr Savundaranayagam, the nuncio is committed to urging the government to shed light on the case of Fr Jim.

When he returned to Colombo on 8 December, Mgr Zenari participated in a meeting with other diplomats where the President of Sri Lanka explained the new directives and norms regulating national security. He added: “On this occasion, I was able to brief the president about the plight of the Tamil people in the north-east.”