Christian Perspectives

Lankan Catholics rejoice:

Cardinal is given

Some people adorn the office, others the office adorns – SWRD Bandaranaike

Leslie Peiris Wettasinha

Christians of Sri Lanka! Rejoice and be glad for unto us a Cardinal is given. This call for jubilation goes out not only to members of The Roman Catholic church but includes all established Christian sects in the country.

The rationale for such a joint expression of joy is not far to seek. The prejudice against Papal authority which understandably triggered the Reformation has now died out – actually the piety and devotion of the laity and particularly of the saints who emerged after this schism had expiated for the sins of the errant Popes.

Today none of the protesting sects would venture to defy history and question the apostolic succession of the incumbent Pope to the chair of St.Peter nor could they in the face of the divine word successfully challenge the primacy accorded to Peter and his successors as head of the church of Christ - “Thou art Peter (The Rock) and upon this Rock I build my church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatsoever you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven. To Thee I give the keys of The Kingdom of heaven”.

True it is that the earliest churches founded by the apostles lay scattered throughout the then known world. But when St. Peter along with St. Paul founded the church of Rome its primacy was readily conceded by the other (Eastern) churches. As pointed out by Arnold Lunn in his book “Now I see” 1933 the first to do so was the martyr Bishop of the Eastern Church St Ignatius who according to St. Chrisostom was consecrated by St. Peter himself. Writing to Rome (and the other churches) he stated - “ye were the instructors of others, and my desire is that those lessons should hold good which as teachers ye enjoined’.

Then comes St. Iranens a disciple of St Polycarp - “(with) the church founded and established at Rome by two most glorious apostles Peter and Paul on account of its higher origin the whole church (I mean the faithful on all sides) must needs agree wherein the tradition which is of the apostles hath ever been preserved by them” Armnold Lunn further draws the readers attention to a research publication titled “The Eastern Churches and the Papacy” by an eminent Protestant Theologian of Oxford University, The Rev Herbert Scott wherein it is stated that St Peter and his successors were recognized as supreme judges in matters of faith by a long succession of great Eastern Saints, Ignatius, Iranens, Denys, Athanasins and others.

Thus the external unity of The church achieved through deference to Papal authority on matters of faith was a historical fact till it was fractured by the protestant reformists. It is time to repair that fracture. Is Sri Lanka providentially being asked to join in that task. That little Sri Lanka which does not even have a Christian majority is called upon to represent the whole of Christian Asia through this Cardinalate is an honour not only for the incumbent, or the Christian community but for Sri Lanka as a whole, and places her in a unique position to influence the course of events in Christendom at large.

The Cardinal designate His Eminence Dr. Malcom Ranjith is an ecumenist and internationalist of the highest order who enjoys the unqualified confidence of His Holiness the Pope. I hope that it is not sacrilegious to say that he even has the makings of a Pope. Locally he brings a breadth of fresh air to the staid and parochial episcopel atmosphere of the recent past and has given us Christians living in a hostile environment, a sense of pride in calling ourselves Christians.

His example has strengthened our faith and we look forward to the day when the world will witness grater religious harmony through inter-religious dialogue for which he is reputed and Christian unity which he along with His Holiness the Pope has been striving for.

Vocations.. Where have you been?

‘We have no vocations. Please pray.” This has been a never-ending request of most religious.

Out of my curiosity I inquired the reason why vocations are less today and wrote to ‘The Daily News - Christian Perspective’ and ‘The Catholic Messenger’ on May 29 and June 20, 2010, respectively about my findings under the heading ‘Family the Root of Vocations’.

Later on many readers specially the clergy shared their views with me on vocations and that gave me food for thought in writing again. Let me begin with a few questions we discussed - Has the way of life of the religious impressed or motivated any vocations? If there are, have those impressed candidates found to be happy even after they entered the formation? Do they remain happily and shape their vocation to serve Our Lord or do they continue to remain since they have no other option?

If we are genuine in the true sense of the word, we can understand whether we do not have vocations or we do not take good care of the vocations we receive. Brightness of a lamp impresses us all. The brightness of spirituality and righteousness of the religious should impress all not only for vocations but also for healthy public relations. If the religious lacks the glow, such religious orders naturally limp in society and ultimately die-out.

This is inevitable. If the way of their life impresses the world, it is like ‘A city built on a hill top that cannot be hidden.’ (Mt. 5: 14-15). Naturally such orders will be blessed with vocations.

There are vocations. It is our fervent belief that vocations come from God. God chooses His servants but is His chosen lot taken good care of?

Some are eternal beggars of vocations and they tend to keep all the catch in their net. Whether they are educationally qualified or not they are welcome in order to increase their number, assure a quality-guarantee to preserve their Congregation. Unlike those good old days the candidates should have a good educational background because the world is advanced today.

There would have been a time when educational background was not taken into consideration but later such Congregations have suffered enough and have realized their mistake in their history. ‘People make mistakes but fools only repeat them’. Needless to explain the problems there could be between the qualified and the ill-qualified. Worse comes to worse if the subordinates are more qualified than the Superior who is senior in age or as a religious.

Obedience to the Superior is a great characteristic of the religious orders. Humility is a must but humility should not be humiliated. We are human and jealousy is in our veins. That is inevitable but why should one suffer for others folly? The possibility for prejudices is very high in such situations. If the Superior or the Formator is educated, experienced, broadminded and human, the selected vocations will definitely turn out to be wonderful labourers in the vineyard of the Lord.

‘Many are called but few are chosen.’ The wrong interpretation of this saying of Jesus appears to be the lame excuse forwarded by some vocation promoters. If many are called and few are chosen, those who are not chosen will also lead a successful life as good Christians if they receive a good formation. Many are called but one or two may remain but the Congregations have rendered a great service to the Church and the whole society by producing a set of decent virtuous and worthwhile members to society. It is commendable. Isn’t it a worthwhile apostolate?

If they are called and chosen by Jesus Himself there cannot be mistakes. We know that Religious means not Godly but human.

We understand that they are also weak by nature but if they are weaker than laity where has it gone wrong? Is it his or her fault or the fault of the selection or the formation? There are Formators who are broad minded and open minded. They help their juniors to shape their vocations for a great service in the vineyard.

The formation of the religious should be life long (as it is done in certain Congregations). If the foundation is strong, there is hardly any chance of the collapse of the building. Formation with human and spiritual touch is human-friendly. Such formation shapes vocations for better service, demanding dedication and a deep sense of commitment. During the formation the friendly rapport between the Formator and the Formee will enhance their interest to be a Co-Worker with God. So moulding and forming the young and growing minds entrusted to the Formators’ care is a divine task.

Formators should be well aware that another lamp cannot be lit unless his or her lamp is burning. A lamp diffuses light dispelling the darkness around. Every vocation is special and must be treated as such. They have to be accepted as they are. Personal preferences, prejudices and discriminations of these candidates obstruct genuine formation and the Formator’s own problems, frustrations and anxieties and attitudes should not affect the vocations. Moreover, the vocations especially the fresh ones should not undergo undue hardships or sufferings in the name of ‘OBEDIENCE’. ‘BLIND OBEDIENCE’ should not be a bait to suppress innocent candidates who will be wild when their formation is over.

If the Formator is vocation-friendly, the candidates will reflect God in their words and actions.

Period of formation should help the fresh vocations bloom and their talents should be identified and supported to improve them to serve the Lord. They should feel the Holy Spirit guiding them in their life. If their talents and capabilities are suppressed or neglected, they are naturally depressed. Let them shine while illuminating others lives as well.

Ajith Perera - Wennappuwa

De Salle Brothers

Continued From last week

They expanded their mission to Pakistan and India, where today the Brothers manage their institutions by themselves. The early Brothers here were missionaries from abroad. Today, all the Brothers of the District, both Tamil and Sinhala speaking, are Sri Lankans. Their past pupils, here and abroad, over the years and still, hold prestigious positions in society. Yet, the Brothers do not seek fame and glory here on earth.

I have the first-hand experience of De La Salle school management. How nice it would have been if there could be De La Salle School in the main cities islandwide or at least in every main parish in the coastal belt! Unlike our time the children of today need a lot of religious guidance. They need good shepherds. This can only be done by the Religious. I do not know when wisdom will dawn on the political leaders to increase the number of religious involvement through government teaching appointments to schools especially to the Catholic schools.

The success of their apostolic mission is of course measured mainly in heaven before the Good Lord Himself because the Lord Himself has done wonders through these chosen instruments. He is quite impressed by their unmatched apostolate. There may be instances when their selfless service has not been duly appreciated. But, God’s yard stick is different from ours. He who is contented about their service to mankind will undoubtedly glorify them. So therefore He will be eagerly waiting at the gate of heaven to crown them all who have glorified Him in their true service. “They that instruct many unto justice shall shine as stars for all eternity” (Daniel. 12-3)

(AP)

Pope calls for release of Pakistani sentenced to death

Pope Benedict XVI called Wednesday for the release of Christian mother Asia Bibi who was sentenced to death last week in Pakistan for blasphemy, the Vatican announced.

The pontiff said the mother of five should “be given back her freedom,” during the weekly general address in St. Peter’s Square, a Vatican statement said.

“I feel close to Asia Bibi and her family and I ask that she be released as soon as possible,” he said.

Asia was sentenced to death November 11 in Pakistan’s central province Punjab following a charge in 2009 that the non-Muslim had made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed.

“I pray for those who find themselves in similar situations so that their human dignity and fundamental rights are respected,” Benedict said, adding that Christians in Pakistan “are often victims of violence and discrimination.”

Pakistan has yet to execute anyone for blasphemy, but the case spotlights the Muslim country’s controversial laws on the subject which rights activists say encourage Islamist extremism in a nation wracked by Taliban attacks.

Asia’s case dates back to June 2009 when she was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. But a group of Muslim women labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl.

A few days later the women went to a local cleric and alleged that Asia made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed. The cleric went to local police, who opened an investigation.

She was arrested in Ittanwalai village and prosecuted under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries the death penalty.

Sentencing her to hang, Judge Naveed Iqbal had “totally ruled out” any chance that Asia was falsely implicated and said there were “no mitigating circumstances”, according to a copy of the verdict seen by AFP.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said on Tuesday he considered Asia to be “an exemplary case of Christian persecution” and vowed to join the fight to save her.

“The current law needs to be changed and the Pakistani government confirmed their commitment to do so during my visit” to Pakistan last week, he said during an interview with Vatican television. Asia’s husband Ashiq Masih, 51, had previously told AFP that he would appeal her death sentence, which needs to be upheld by the Lahore high court, the highest court in Punjab, before it can be carried out. The couple have two sons and three daughters.

Rights activists and minority pressure groups said it was the first time that a woman had been sentenced to hang in Pakistan for blasphemy, although a Muslim couple were jailed for life last year. Human rights activists want the controversial legislation repealed, saying it is exploited for personal enmity and encourages Islamist extremism.

Only around three percent of Pakistan’s population of 167 million is estimated to be non-Muslim.

Last July, two Christian brothers accused of writing a blasphemous pamphlet critical of the Prophet Mohammed were shot dead outside a court in Punjab. Pastor Rashid Emmanuel, 32, and his brother Sajjad, were killed as they left a court hearing in Faisalabad city, where hundreds of Muslim protesters had demanded they be sentenced to death.

AFP

In memorium:

Shanthi Pieris

The certainty of death has removed from the earthly scene Shanthi. In an Appreciation like this one cannot forget her husband Aelian who predeceased her. I got to know Shanthi and Aelian because of two factors. (1) Aelian involvement with our Ecumenical Seminary at Pilimatalawa where I worked. (2) Shanthi’s involvement with the Teacher’s Inter Religious Peace Education Program.

Both of them were persons who were committed to God therefore to People with Values both in Church and in Society.

Aelian belonged to the Legal Profession. Shanthi was heavily involved with Education. In fact her involvement with Education was focused on Methodist College where she spent most of her life. The crowds that attended Shanthi’s funeral bore testimony to her life and work.

At the funeral Service at her Church we were reminded of Shanthi’s role in helping the victims of July 1983 in some ways. She opened the doors of her College to those who had to run away from those who were on the war path during that tragic week in the history of Sri Lanka. What she did was certainly walking the talk where her discipleship was concerned. What she did was Christ like. There were others in Sri Lanka at that time who were reluctant to open their doors to victims of that tragedy.

Reflecting on Shanthi’s life it is certainly very clear that it was her inner life and spirituality that enabled her to be the person that she was under God. We shall always remember her and hers with love and gratitude. All those who will miss her in life very especially her sons and their families can certainly be assured of our prayers. As I write this In Memoriam on All Souls’s Day 2010 I conclude, May her soul rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

Sydney Knight

Handful of Tranquility exhibition

Handful of Tranquility’ organized by the Ceylon Bible Society offers elderly citizens a wonderful opportunity to exhibit their talents and express their creativity. It has been the vision of the General Secretary, Lakshani Fernando to create a platform for Senior Citizens to display their talents and earn some money for themselves in the process. The ladies participating in this program have a variety of impressive skills including sewing, smocking, cross-stitch, patch-work, crochet, hand work etc. Their enthusiasm and vitality make them true role models for the new generation of women.

The organization of this event is an attempt by the CBS to extend its encouragement and support to elders in a society where they are often neglected and do not receive due appreciation.

AFP

Archbishop’s convocation address

The Archbishop of Colombo should be congratulated for his thought provoking convocation address at the Graduation Ceremony at the Aquinas Catholic University. He in no uncertain terms has critiqued the 1978 Constitution and the very strong shift to centralization.

Reading between the lines one could hear the Archbishop say very strongly that the sharing of power is perhaps one of the ways of healing the hurting and wounded Mother Lanka. Although a weekly writer in one of our popular papers has gone public by stating that the 13th Amendment is the problem and not the 18th Amendment. People who make opinion in this country must come clean and accept the need for decentralization of power.

Dr Shelton Wanasinghe a very well acceptable public Servant of a now vanishing age speaking at a public meeting several years ago said that sharing of power is vital to develop Sri Lanka. The fear that a Northern Province with a legal position to share power can turn to India is only a pie in the sky for New Delhi will never ever support any movement towards separation.

So it is necessary for the Sri Lankan electorate to put this thought behind us and learn to share power with the province so that the country could be developed. This can be done in such a way that we remain a united land. Over to all who want a united Sri Lanka and development in all the provinces.

Sydney Knight

The 130th anniversary of Christ Church Girls’ School, Baddegama was held recently. Here, Rev. Father Niroshan de Mel holding a mass to bless to commemorate the anniversary at Christ Church, Baddegama recently. Picture by Somadasa Abeywickrama, Baddegama Group correspondent