Archbishop felicitated by Congress of Religions

His Grace the Archbishop, Most Rev. Oswald Gomis was given a special felicitation on the occassion of the Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination and 40 years of Episcopal Ministry, by the Congress of Religions at their General Council Meeting at the Abhayarama Temple, Narahenpita, on January 16,states a release from Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI, Executive Secretary, Congress of Religions.

Among the speakers were Most Ven. Dr. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratne Thero, Chancellor of Sri Jayawardhanapura University, Most Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thero, Most Ven. Madoluwe Sobitha Thero, Rev. Ebenezar Joseph , President of the Methodist Conference and Raja Puwaneswaran, Vice-President of the Sri Lanka Hindu Congress.

While the Buddhist clergy chanted a Sutta of Blessings, the Chief Priest of the Western Province, Siva Sri Shanmugaratne Kurukkal said a prayer of invocation.

Most Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratne Thero praised His Grace for his great initiatives in fostering inter-religious unity and for the most cordial relations he has built up with the Buddhist Clergy.

“The leadership he has shown has been very exemplary for all. They consider him almost like a Mahanayake”, the Thero said.

In the course of other speeches,there were words of appreciation for His Grace for having intervened in all national questions and that he was a Blessing to the country and a figure of hope for the future. His impact on the civil authorities is to be specially appreciated.

Puwaneswaran speaking on behalf of the Hindus thanked His Grace for constantly being a voice of Peace in the country and requested him to continue to exert his influence in realising the dream of a united Sri Lanka.

A presentation of Buddhist Books was made by Most Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, the Chief Sangha Nayake of Japan and the President of the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society.

Archbishop Gomis while appreciating the gesture coming from the country’s religious leaders pointed out that amity and cordial relations among the religious leaders was a great contribution towards national unity.”

All religions teach a basic ethic of leading a good life in this world of our temporary existence so that we may attain fuller happiness in the next.

The work of the Congress of Religions in its tasks of fostering national unity and religious amity is to be appreciated”.

His Grace added that “it offers a valuable contribution for the future progress of the country and that religious unity is very important for stepping into the future”.

The Archbishop of Colombo is one of the founder-members of the Congress of Religions and its Co-Chairman.