Colombo (AsiaNews) – In its’ Lenten message the Sri Lnakan Episcopal conference invites the faithful to begin this period of remembrance and conversion by offering  prayer and acts of devotion for an end to armed conflict in the country. 

In the messaged signed by Conference president Msgr.Vianney Fernando and secretary Msgr. Marius Peiris, the bishops recall that in Lent “we are entering a period of repentance and struggle against evil at a time when the whole country is embroiled in immense pain and is being afflicted in many ways , at times dramatic and heartrending: a veritable crucible of suffering reminding us of the Crucified Lord who walked the path of the cross to Golgotha, there to offer the supreme sacrifice of his life to release a sinful humanity from the slavery of evil and sin. The never - ending stories of anguish, loneliness , displacement of large numbers of our citizens and added to these , the hapless victims of oppression, hatred and violence bring before us the scenes of the Passion and death of Jesus the Lord, our saviour. However the Risen Lord stands as the cross flow graces of pardon, reconciliation and peace”.

The Conference recalls the Pope’s Lenten message, in which Benedict XVI  invites us to “gaze upon the one whom they have  pierced”. The Pope observes that “ the contemplation of the pierced one moves us to open our hearts to others, recognizing the wounds inflicted upon the dignity of the human person; it moves us particular , to fight every form of contempt for life and human exploitation and to alleviate the tragedies of loneliness and abandonment of so many people”.

For this reason- the message continues- Christians of this land are called to alleviate the indescribable sufferance of their yellow countrymen and women and to do all that is possible to uproot the causes of hate, greed, mistrust, intolerance and injustices which cause our misery. “What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly , to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God”.

The bishops conclude inviting the faithful to observe during the Lenten season traditional acts of devotion, so that it may be “a time of profound conversion of heart and prayerful intercession to free our country from its conflict situation. Let us also do everything in our power to foster the spirit of conversion and reconciliation in our neighbourhoods. May the sacred wounds of Christ be a refuge in this time of crisis and in turn bring to all of us the healing we need from our own wounds and ills”.