Lanka blessed with Cardinal

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith:

Commodore Shemal Fernando, RSP, USP, Msc

The History of Salvation is dotted with instances when God raises up prophets and leaders to journey with His people through difficult and deliberating moments of history. Whether it be Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Joseph or Jeremiah, or Peter or Paul, they all had one thing in common. They were convinced that their mission was related to a deeply spiritual calling.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has elevated the Chief Shepherd of Colombo, His Grace Malcolm Ranjith to the dignity of a Cardinal which is the highest rank in the Roman Catholic Church for a Priest. He is only the second Sri Lankan to be made a Cardinal. His Eminence Thomas Benjamin Cardinal Cooray, OMI (December 28, 1901 – October 29, 1988) who served as the Archbishop of Colombo from 1947 to 1976 was the first Sri Lankan Cardinal.

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm has always shown his love for the poor, enthusiasm to spread the good News of Christ, loyally to the Magisterium of the Church and a prudent approach to humanitarian problems – be it Pastoral, Social or Political. He has always promoted inter-faith dialogue in Sri Lanka as he believes that same can eliminate potential causes of tensions and disagreements between the religious and ethnic groups that make up the country.

Birth

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was born on November 15, 1947 as the eldest and only son of Don William and Mary Winifreeda and baptised as Patabandige Don Albert Malcolm Ranjith in Polgahawela. He had his primary education at De La Salle College, Mutwal.

Beckoned by God

He was beckoned by God to serve in his vineyard from a young age. He entered St. Aloysius’ Seminary in Borella in 1965. In the Students’ Register of the Seminary, Rev. Fr. Frank Marcus Fernando, then Rector, later Bishop of Chilaw had made an entry that he joined the Seminary on March 15, 1965.

In the following year, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, then Rector, presently Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo had made an entry that he entered National Seminary in Kandy on June 4, 1966. He had been interviewed and admitted to the National Seminary by His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray. He pursued his studies in philosophy at the National Seminary from 1966 to 1970.

According to Formation rules existed at that time, he went on Regency from the Major Seminary and served SEDEC in the District of Ratnapura building homes for the needy. He was thereafter sent to Rome by then Archbishop Thomas Cardinal Cooray for studies in theology and graduated from the Pontifical Urbanian University with a Baccalaureate.

Ordination as a Priest

On June 29, 1975 he was ordained to the priesthood by the Holy Father, Pope Paul VI in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. He then pursued post graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where he undertook scriptural research and obtained a Special Certificate in Biblical Studies.

Missionary Odyssey

On his return from Rome, he was appointed Assistant Parish Priest of Pamunugama in 1978 and his dynamism and enthusiasm of the certainly had its impact on the villages of Kepungoda and Dungalapitiya. He literally shook that sleepy, backward fishing villages with its rocky beaches and was instrumental in supplying electricity, building houses and modernising the area.

His missionary odyssey then took him through the parishes of Payagala and Kalutara where he blazed a trail of total commitment to uplift the poverty stricken fisher folk and built a vibrant Christian community. ”Seth Sarana”, the Archdiocesan Centre for Poor Relief is his brainchild and remains a lasting monument to his commitment to alleviate the sufferings of the poor.

In 1983, Fr. Malcolm was named the National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies and under his enthusiastic direction a new and urgent sense of mission was created among the clergy and the people. He revived the Society of the Holy Childhood to inspire a spirit of missionary zeal in children. As Diocesan Co-ordinator for Human Development he introduced bold initiatives in areas such as housing, fisheries and various self employment projects.

Episcopal Consecration

On June 17, 1991 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo and Titular Bishop of Cabarsussi. He received his Episcopal consecration on August 31, 1991 from Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando. He served as the Vicar General in charge of Parochial Apostolate and Lay Apostolate from 1991 to 1995. His peers elected him the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka as well.

Visit of Pope John Paul II

The visit of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II to Sri Lanka on January 20, 1995 was an unforgettable event in the annals of the Church history of Sri Lanka and it was combined with the Beatification of Blessed Joseph Vaz, the Apostle of Sri Lanka.

It was at this moment that the talents, capabilities and the organizing skills of young Bishop Malcolm came out to the fore. If the event left an indelible mark it was due to his undaunted pursuance of the responsibility placed fairly and squarely on his shoulders as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the visit of the Pope and Beatification.

Bishop of Ratnapura

He was also the first shepherd to be appointed by the Holy See to the newly carved Diocese of Ratnapura. He took office as the Bishop of Ratnapura on November 2, 1995. His appointment was hailed as a welcome spark to kindle the fire of missionary zeal in the hearts of the clergy and laity in his diocese. It was evident from the unprecedented numbers of well-wishers of all religions that thronged to welcome him.

The unflagging zeal and leadership displayed by him in guiding the flock of Ratnapura perhaps paved him the way to the Holy See. He was instrumental in constructing a Minor Seminary at Kegalle, a new Bishop’s House at Madola, a Pastoral Centre at Avissawella and gave a facelift to many churches in the diocese during that short span of time.

He is also the first Sri Lankan Bishop to be appointed to the Holy See. On October 1, 2001, he was made the Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples along with the appointment of the President of the Pontifical Mission Societies by Pope John Paul II. It is the Holy Father’s ministry for the coordination of the missionary efforts of the Church and involves overview and growth of the local Churches in the missionary countries.

This Ministry coordinates over 1,100 Archdioceses, Dioceses, Apostolic Vicarates and Apostolic Prefectures as well as Sui Juris Missions. The Adjunct Secretary is the World President as well as the International President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which are the instruments of the Pope for enhancing support through prayer and contributions for the mission of the Church.

Papal Ambassador

He is the first Sri Lankan to be appointed a Papal Nuncio. He served in Jakarta as the Holy Father’s Apostolic Ambassador to Indonesia and East Timor from April 29, 2004 until his return to Rome. The Catholic Church in Indonesia consists of 17,000 islands and spreads to 37 Dioceses and has one of the biggest Catholic populations amongst the counties in Asia. Upon his appointment as the Papal Nuncio, he was also raised to the rank of Titular Archbishop of Umbriatico.

Pope announces 24 new Cardinals

Pope Benedict XVI said last Wednesday that he will create 24 new cardinals next month in a key announcement for the Catholic Church as 20 of them will have the power to elect his eventual successor. Benedict told some 22,000 faithful assembled for his general audience in St Peter’s Square that the list “reflects the universality of the church.” The list is dominated by European clergy but there will also be cardinals from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Egypt and Zambia. The new cardinals will be formally appointed at a conference of cardinals known as a consistory to be held in Vatican City on November 20-21. Four of the new cardinals are currently more than 80 years old and therefore do not have the power to elect a new pope at the next conclave. Following the death of a pope, cardinals are called upon to find a successor. The candidate chosen is usually one of the cardinals. Under a tradition instituted by Pope Paul VI (1963-1978), the number of “elector cardinals” is set at a minimum of 120. The number of “elector cardinals” after the consistory will be 121. Some of the more powerful cardinals in the church can also help determine whether the church will develop in a conservative or reformist direction. Benedict has already held two consistories since the start of his pontificate in 2005 during which 38 new cardinals were created. AFP

During his tenure he succeeded in enhancing mutual relations between the Vatican State and Indonesia to greater heights. He won the admiration of the church hierarchy for the pivotal role he played in assisting the establishment of cordial relations between the local Churches and Governments.

Secretary of Congregation

On December 10, 2005 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed then Archbishop Malcolm as the Secretary of the Holy Father’s powerful Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He is the first and only Sri Lankan to be bestowed with such a unique honour of directly assisting the Holy Father as the Secretary of a Congregation in the Vatican City.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is one of the key Congregations of the Roman Curia and attends to everything pertaining to the Apostolic See concerning the regulation and promotion of the sacred liturgy, primarily of the sacraments, without prejudice to the competence of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith.

Metropolitan Archbishop

On June 16, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo. In a letter to then Archbishop Malcolm, Pope Benedict said that “I wish to express my sincere thanks for the fidelity, the commitment and competence with which you exercised that office” and also expressed that “we have reason to be encouraged by the good you will be able to perform among the peoples of your land.”

Cardinal Malcolm was among the 34 Metropolitan Archbishops across the world and the first Sri Lankan to receive his pallium from Pope Benedict on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, 2009. He was greeted with warmth and solemnity upon his arrival in Sri Lanka on July 31, 2009 and took formal canonical possession of the Metropolitan See of Colombo with a Eucharistic Celebration on August 5, 2009.