Sri Lankan Catholics asked to mourn

BY CHAMIKARA Weerasinghe

CARDINALS around the globe will gather today in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel for nine days of mourning with the passing away of the Head of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II.

Speculation is rife as to who would be elected to succeed him from the 117 Cardinals eligible to attend the Conclave to elect the late Pontiff's successor to lead the world's 1.1 billion Catholics. The Conclave to elect a new Pope will take place after 15 to 20 days from today.

The Archbishop House yesterday called the Catholic community in Sri Lanka to hoist a white flag or a Catholic flag in their homes as a mark of respect to Pope John Paul II, who died on Saturday at 9.37 pm Rome time (Sri Lanka 1.37 am).

Archbishop's House sources said Churches in Sri Lanka will offer Holy Mass and special prayer services for the repose of the soul of the Pontiff. Church authorities requested their flock to observe a period of mourning for seven days until the day of the Pope's burial.

Director, National Catholic Social Communication Centre, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said arrangements would be in place to conduct special prayer services during this period. He requested the Catholic clergy in Sri Lanka to offer Holy Mass. He said Pope John Paul II had done a great service in promoting world peace among religions.

"He is the most travelled Pope in the history making 170 journeys during which he visited 115 countries," Fr. Fernando said. "He visited Christian countries and non-Christian countries, the Middle East, and Asia. Wherever he went he received a tumultuous reception," he added.

The Pope had stressed the importance of human rights and led a massive campaign against abortion. Even when USA wanted to legalise abortion, he stood against it. He also criticised the US for invading Kuwait. The Pope visited Kuwait and shared the suffering of the people in Kuwait," Fr. Fernando said.