Well said

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on Monday cleared all doubts as to where the Catholic Church stands on issues such as patriotism and national integrity. He unequivocally spelt out the stance of the church, debunking misconceptions that had bedeviled the local Catholic Church for long years, hopefully leading to a better understanding of the position of the Church among the majority community.

The Catholic Church has long being viewed with suspicion among many Buddhists as being anti-national and working against the national interest. These suspicions were not without basis. There was some justification for this attitude mostly due to its pro-western outlook. Its laid back attitude on issues of national importance and not being more vocal in its opposition to Western influence fuelled this suspicion further. This despite the fact that there were many eminent Catholic priests such as Fr Peter Pillai who pioneered many social reforms and pro labour legislation that benefitted the masses.

For instance the Church vehemently opposed the take over of denominational schools which were run by foreign missionaries and openly demonstrated against the move. Famous priests of the calibre of Fr Merceline Jayakody suffered victimisation due to his move to indegenize the local church and introduce local cultural features in the Holy mass which took on a Western flavour.

All this sowed the seeds of suspicion about the motives of the Catholic Church among prominent Buddhist citizens which extended to the Catholic community in general. True, Catholics actively participated in national events alongside their Sinhala Buddhist brethren. They also rejoiced with the majority community at national celebrations and events of national significance. The Catholics in the coastal areas were an integral part of the nation wide celebrations over the war victory. The national flag is always a prominent feature in all church feasts and other celebrations.

For all that there had always been a lingering doubt and Catholics were by and large considered insular and not relating to the national ethos.

The sentiments Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith expressed at the State felicitation accorded to him therefore must have come as a revelation to most. He said the Catholics of Sri Lanka condemn attempts made to bring down the country's image at international level regardless of the persons involved in such activities. He also said that Catholics hail the President's policy that certain foreign elements should not be allowed to sow the seeds of separatism in the country and took to task certain misguided priests operating from foreign soil for being involved in futile attempts to divide the country. These sentiments leave no doubt as to where the Church's loyalties lay. Importantly they were strongly expressed sentiments of patriotism that were not observed prior to this from the local Catholic hierarchy.

During the 30 year old war there was also a popular school of thought among the majority Buddhists that the Church was not speaking out against the LTTE. In fact some of the clergy and Bishops in the North were branded as Tiger sympathizers. Moreover the Catholic Church was widely seen to be pandering to Western concepts and alienated from the national ethos.

Regrettably some of the leading lights in the Church failed to get their message across with conviction. As a result the Catholic community was looked upon as 'not belonging'. This despite Catholics voting overwhelmingly at elections to return the SLFP which is considered a party representing the indigenous community and largely anti-west.

The sentiments expressed by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith therefore it is hoped would remove all misconceptions and unite Catholics and Buddhists in brotherhood to live as one despite their religious and cultural differences enriching the multi-ethnic fabric of this country.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was unequivocal about Western values. His Eminence noted that Western countries suffer from ethical and spiritual deterioration though they have achieved economic progress. Through this he has divested the church from any affinity with Western concepts and reached out to the majority community in emphasizing the Church's position.

It is refreshing indeed to note that the Catholic Church has spoken loud and clear in underlining its patriotic credentials in a departure from the past when such sentiments, if they were expressed at all were muted or stilted leading to misunderstanding and suspicion. In this respect it could be said that His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has set the record straight. It could also be said that through his sentiments he has redefined the relations between the Catholics and the majority Buddhist community and opened a new chapter in inter-religious harmony that would form a binding force that augers well for the country's future progress.