Catholics should be grateful to President for liberating Madhu -
Vatican Cardinal
The entire Catholic community in Sri Lanka should be grateful to
President Mahinda Rajapaksa for liberating the historic Madhu Shrine
from the terrorists and restoring to the Church, Vatican Cardinal
Francis Arinsay said when he called on the President at Temple Trees
yesterday.
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A delegation from the Asia region for the Liturgical
Convocation of the Catholic Church called on President
Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. The Leader of
the Delegation His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect
of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacrament, Vatican State, Rev. Mario Zenari, the Titular
Archbishop of Zuglio and the Apostoli Nuncio in Sri Lanka,
Rev. Malcom Ranjith, Secretary of the congregation for
Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacrament, Vatican
City State, Ministers Milroy Fernando, Neomal Perera and
Sarath Gunarathna were present. Picture by Chandana Perera |
President Rajapaksa said the adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka
always act with mutual understanding and commended the patronage
extended by all religious leaders in this connection.
"The Security Forces liberated Madhu Shrine to further consolidate
the religious freedom and peaceful co-existence among fellow-citizens.
The Security Forces were cautious enough to conduct their operations to
ensure no damage would be caused either to the Madhu Church or the
nearby buildings," the President said.
Although the retreating terrorists inflicted damage to the Church,
the Security Forces renovated the buildings and handed back to the
Church authorities to conduct the religious observances, he said.
Cardinal Arinsay said only after his arrival in the island he was
able to see the actual situation.
"Sri Lanka is blessed with natural beauty," he said.
Vatican representative in Sri Lanka, Archbishop Mario Senari,
Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith and Ministers Milroy Fernando, Pandu
Bandaranayake, Dayashritha Tissera, Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and Neomal
Perera were also present.
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