Card Ranjith tells the sick to pray that the country too may heal

The Archbishop of Colombo led the annual Blessing of the Sick at the Marian shrine in Tewatte. Many Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims joined in the celebration. The cardinal mentioned again the denial of justice for the victims of 2019 Easter massacres.

by Colombage Melani Manel Perera

Colombo (Asia News) – Yesterday, Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, used the annual celebration of the Blessing of the Sick at the national shrine of Our Lady of Sri Lanka, Tewatte, to speak also about the "illnesses” that have afflicted the country for too long.

The “corrupt rulers of this country did not provide justice or conduct a proper investigation regarding the Easter attack,” the prelate said. Its “political leaders are still trying to hide the real masterminds of the Easter attack by suppressing every investigation”.

What is more, “the collapses and destructive situations in the country at present have happened because we have allowed the rulers to implement their selfish programmes,” he added.

“Healed by the Lord journey towards the fullness of life with Mary" was the theme of the healing and prayer service of the Blessing of the Sick, said Fr Jude Sriyananda, the shrine’s administrator.

The event brings together every year not only devout Catholics from all the provinces of the island nation, but also many Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus who come for the triduum of the feast.

“Let's pray today to the Mother of God to reveal to us soon who committed that terrible crime that destroyed the lives of 273 of our fellow people and rendered the lives of another 500 helpless,” Card Ranjith said in his homily.

The archbishop also urged the faithful to work for the creation of a social system that is fair, respects democracy, and values humanity, thus protecting the rights of everyone living in the country.

“Let's pray with confidence in Him as God told us to get rid of all the challenges, sorrows, and pains that we get in our life journey,” he said.

“We should work to change the weak situation in our society. We have to commit to it. We should pray especially to the Lord for this.”

Tags:

Sections

Asia Today
Ecclesia in Asia
Indian Mandala
Red Lanterns
The Gateway to the East
The Russian World
Road to Seoul

See also

  • Vicar: Missionaries of Charity, a beacon of hope in war-torn Yemen

    Addressing an event hosted by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Milan as part of Missionary Month, Bishop Paolo Martinelli spoke about the situation of the religious sisters who remained in Sana'a and Hodeidah, despite the ongoing war and dire conditions. Their work is "essential" and "appreciated by the local population." Meanwhile, fresh fighting broke out between Houthis and pro-Saudi forces.

    Places that witness to St Francis in the heart of Asia

    From the historic church in Goa to the cathedral in Xi’an, there are many places across Asia that commemorate the message of the saint from Assisi, on the 800th anniversary of his death. Among the most recent is the chapel built in the image of the Porziuncola near the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas.

  • Amid faith and tradition, the Church marks 60 years in Surakarta

    The Mangkunegaran Palace hosted a celebration that also served as an act of thanksgiving for the presence of Catholics in local society, Father Herman noted. In this very public venue Christmas Mass was held in 1957, with the permission of the then-ruler of the local Islamic principality. Now Catholics can look to the future while preserving their roots and the past.

AsiaNews Weekly
News from Asia that matters

Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.

Subscribeto the newsletter
  • P.I.M.E. Centro Missionario
  • Agenzia Fides
  • P.I.M.E. Brasil
  • Radio Mondo
  • Mondo e Missione
  • P.I.M.E. U.S.A.
  • TV 2000