A son of the soil

It would not be incorrect to say that the New Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith was preceded by his reputation and stature.It is well-known that he is a prominent figure and a member of the inner councils of the Vatican. Many were the assignments entrusted to him by the fountainhead of the Catholic Church and his missionary work had taken him far and wide across continents as a servant of God and messenger of peace.

But what is also well-known is that he is essentially a son of the soil and his journeys in rarefied realms never took his mind or thoughts away from his beloved Motherland. With all those busy activities criss-crossing the world he still had time for his country and took an abiding interest in its affairs. He was a very pro-active campaigner for peace during the height of the ethnic conflict and like all true Sri Lankans was pained at the bloodletting that unfolded in his country.

But what stood out among his noble traits was his untiring zeal to build the image of Sri Lanka using his influential position as a roving Ambassador cum servant of God. In this task he certainly outdid even some of our professional diplomats. Couple all this with his well known efforts to build inter-religious harmony, his charity and mission for the poor, Bishop Malcolm Ranjith was a living witness to Christ's inunction to his disciples that they should go among their flock. For Rev. Malcolm Ranjith was never known to have sat still on his high perch but went out seeking the poor and the depressed to offer solace and comfort. He therefore is the ideal choice to head the country's Roman Catholic Church in the present context where much has to be done to bring together a fractured people in the spirit of love and reconciliation.

Now that he is leader of the local Catholic Church, one can hope his voice would be heard louder outside our shores to bring justice, honour and acceptance of the country by the wider world. It is a known fact that more often than not the voice of religious dignitaries sometimes take precedence over those of leaders of nations.

He has already called on the international community not to isolate Sri Lanka which would need all the help to rebuild itself from the ashes. This call also resonates the yearning for peace and reconciliation which the world could help foster by assisting Sri Lanka in every way.

It is hoped this call would be heeded by the international community (meaning the West) who had all along placed roadblocks to our advancement. His call is akin to similar entreaties made by men of God such as Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa which made the international community sit up and take note.

Like the world community paid heed to such stalwarts of the church one would like to think that the plea of the new Archbishop would strike a chord with those nations from the West who had been aloof towards our country. The Bishop's call only makes sense in that today no country or entity can be left out in isolation where coexistence is the buzzword however small and weak countries may be in comparison to each other. Speaking at a special felicitation accorded to him Bishop Malcolm Ranjith said the imposition of a political or economic embargo on Sri Lanka by the international community would serve no purpose. This is perhaps the first time that a leader of a Church in Sri Lanka has openly called to question the conduct of the West. This could signal a hardened attitude on the part of the Catholics towards foreign elements vis a vis their treatment of Sri Lanka, unlike in the past where protests if at all were muted.

He also pledged to strengthen the hands of the President and other leaders who are striving to rebuild the country.

This is also is a significant gesture on the part of Head of the local Catholic community which though numerically minuscule is an influential segment nevertheless. Like the Archbishop noted, many were the Catholics in the bandwagon of the freedom struggle. Catholics also played a not inconsiderable role in enriching the social and cultural life of the country and was an integral part of the mosaic which fashioned post-independent Sri Lanka.

The Bishop who is steeped in the cultural ethos of the country no doubt would make an ideal bridge between the Buddhist and Catholic communities as part of the effort to unify the country under a single banner. His speech at the felicitation ceremony left no doubt in anybody's mind of his acknowledgement of the pre-eminent status accorded to Buddhism in the country. Being born and nurtured in a pre-dominantly Buddhist environment like his predecessor he clearly understands the nuances. His pledge to coexist with other religions in the country and not lend his imprimatur for unethical conversions would certainly go a long way in building mutual trust and understanding between the Buddhists and Catholics in Sri Lanka.

It would be correct to state that advent of Bishop Malcolm Ranjith to take up the mantle of Catholic Church was a like a breath of fresh air that is likely to blow through the sanctum of the Church bringing about a refreshing awakening - both to the Church and the country.