Christian perspectives
Two new entrants to the Archdiocesan Dynasty of Auxiliaries
Fr Ernest Poruthota
The Sri Lankan Vatican Apostolic Delegates most Rev Dr Joseph
Spiteris announced on November 28, 2011 that His Holiness Pope Benedict
the XVI has selected two new Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of
Colombo and has ushered a New Spring in the Archdiocese of Colombo.
![](z_p18-Two-new-01.jpg)
Msgr Emmanuel |
![](z_p18-Two-new-02.jpg)
Msgr Maxwell |
Msgr Emmanuel was born on May 20, 1948 in Jaffna. Msgr. Maxwell was
born on September 27,1953 in Moratuwa, Willorawatta. The nature of their
future Apostolate has not been determined by his Emminence the Cardinal
Malcolm Ranjith.
The nature of their apostolate as Auxilaries was determined after
their Episcopal Ordination (also called the Consecration) as Bishops
that took place on February 11, 2012 at St Lucia's Cathedral Kotahena at
9.00 am.
Earlier in the history of the Archdiocese consecration, two Auxiliary
Bishops in the persons of Rt Rev Dr Edmund Fernando and Rt Rev Dr Oswald
Gomis took place in Kotahena at St Benedict's College Quadrangle on the
same day July 17, 1968. They were two Auxiliaries of late Cardinal
Thomas Cooray.
Pope had many to select from as Auxiliaries, but he has finally
selected Msgrs Emmanuel and Maxwell. The reasons will never be known but
one can see through the selection two trends in the training background
of both.
Monsignor Emmanuel
Msgr Emmanuel comes from a usual background of Priestly training for
the Bishopric. Kandy Seminary, Rome, priestly studies, exposure to many
foreign countries for pastoral experiences.
In 1965 he entered St Aloysius minor seminary along with Cardinal
Malcom Ranjith. From the National Seminary Kandy he was sent to Rome
Propaganda ide College, Rome for Theological studies. There, he
completed B.Th in 1972. In 1974 Licentiate in Theology.
Specialization in Moral Theology at the Urban University in Rome. He
was ordained a priest in Rome on January 6,1973, by His Holiness Pope
Paul the VI (who came to Sri Lanka in 1970).
Msgr Emmanuel went through the normal run given to any priest whether
educated in Rome or Sri Lanka. From October 1974 he was the Assistant
priest at Dalugama parish, lived in the subsidiary church of
Sapugaskanda. In 1975 he moved to the Hanwella parish but had his
exposure in Waga, a subsidiary Church of Hanwella parish. In 1976 he was
moved to Kotahena parish while being in charge of St. Anthony's
Kochchikade. Kochchikade is still not a parish but was declared a
national shrine by Rt Rev Dr Nicolas Marcus. Baptisms, funerals and
weddings don't take place in St Anthony's, they are being done still at
Kotahena parish of St. Lucia's.
St Anthony's remains a shrine where people can come and pray, make
their vows and have their private devotions. The shrine caters to the
faithful in three languages; Msgr Emmanuel was quite at home with
languages as he had studied Sinhalese under a Buddhist monk.
Msgr Emmanuel after the ground working in-service training in
parishes joined the National Seminary Ampitiya Kandy in February 1978 as
a staff member and group moderator and teacher teaching Ethics and
Fundamental Moral Theology. He was also appointed moderator of the
Ganaprakasam Tamil Academy like its parallel Gonsalves Sinhala Academy,
Chesterton English Academy. All three Academies are devoted to research
in view of the priestly ministry.
He was also the spiritual director of the seminary brothers from all
the Dioceses of Sri Lanka besides the student brothers from all the
priestly Religious Congregations working in Sri Lanka.
In 1981 he was sent for doctoral studies to the Catholic University
of America in Washington DC USA. He was a resident at St Anne's Church
in Washington DC and helped for masses and services in that American
Parish. During the summer time he worked in a parish in New York
Highland Falls.
In 1987 he completed his doctoral thesis in moral theology titled
'Population policy of Sri Lanka, an evaluation in the light of the moral
theology'.
He came back to the National Seminary in October 1987, continued
teaching Ethics and Moral Theology in the teaching in staff. He resumed
his earlier roles as group moderator of the Ganaprakasam Tamil academy
and spiritual Director to the brothers from all, the dioceses of Sri
Lanka and those studying for the Catholic Priesthood from the various
Priestly Religious Congregations working in Sri Lanka. He was promoted
to be the Vice Rector of the National Seminary from 1989-1991 and was
the 6th Rector of the National Seminary from 1991-1998, The 3rd Diocesan
priest Rector.
During the last years, Msgr Emmanuel was appointed a member of the
Council of Priests (also called the Senate of Priests of the
Archdiocese) of Colombo.
As all professors of the universities as well as the national
seminary Msgr Emmanuel then Fr. Emmanuel was on sabbatical leave from
August 1998 to September 1999. He was helping in the Rockville centre
diocese, New York USA Lynbrooke for one year.
During this time period he became a research scholar at the Hasting
centre in New York.
In September 1999 he was appointed to be in charge of the research
centre of the Archbishop's House in Colombo. It is from there he
organized the Exhibitions for the Jubilee Year 2000. He held jubilee
year exhibitions in 8 different places in the Archdiocese of Colombo.
He went back to the Parish Apostolate in June 2001 to January 2009.
He was from October 2002 to January 2009 the parish priest of Tillanduwa,
Negombo and also the Dean of Bolwalana Deanery from October 2009, Parish
priest of Moratuwa, St. Sebastian' Church and also the Dean of Moratuwa
Deanery till December 2009. In December 2004 he was appointed Episcopal
Vicar for Catechetics and the Family Apostolates.
In 2006 he was made the Episcopal Vicar in charge of the Southern
Region that included the Deaneries of Moratuwa and Kalutara. In January
2009 after handing the parish of Moratuwa he was appointed Resident
Priest of Daham Sevana the (intermediate seminary for Rev Brothers going
for Theological and Philosophical studies to the National Seminary
Ampitiya Kandy.
The Marist Brothers who are specialized in the school teaching
Apostolate had taken over the Kalutara Holy Cross College from the
priests, decided to hand over the Holy Cross College back to the
fathers. Fr. Emmanuel was made the pro-tem Rector of the college from
January to May 2010. He was staying in the separate residence for the
college fathers. In May 2010 he was appointed as the Episcopal Vicar for
the Tamil Apostolate with Residence at the Archbishop's House Colombo.
He continued his teaching in the Tamil theologate and the Theology
department of Aquinas University College. He was also a member of the
Sinhala Deva Darma Nikethaniya Academic Council.
On November 28,2011 he was appointed Auxiliary to the Archbishop of
Colombo with Titular Bishop of Orta. It is the custom to give a Title of
Diocese to each Bishop till they are incardinated to a definite diocese
as full time Bishops.
Such a rich preparation was not available to all the Auxiliaries who
were appointed to the Archdiocese before Bishops Anthony Seram, Don
Sylvester, Frank Marcus Fernando, Edmund Fernando, Oswald Gomis and
Marius Peiris.
In the history of the Archdiocese it is the first time that an
Episcopal Vicar was appointed in the person of Msgr Emmanuel for Tamils.
Although there was no neglect of the Tamil Apostolate in the Archdiocese
as Archbishops Nicholas Marcus, Oswald Gomis, Malcom Ranjith preached to
the faithful in Tamil all along.
Monsignor Maxwell Silva
Msgr Maxwell belongs to a line of priests in the Archdiocese who have
served in the teaching apostolate of the taken over Denominational
Catholic schools. Christian Brothers, Marist Brothers and Franciscan
Brothers (Mostly identified as FB) were always engaged in the ordinary
schools teaching Apostolate even before the takeover of schools by the
Government in 1962.
Fr. P. Sebastian Fernando OMI was always engaged in the teaching
Apostolate in Lucia's parish school just behind St. Lucia's Cathedral.
Therein Fr. Sebastian Fernando discovered Ralex Ranasinghe who became a
national sensation for Photography layout and poster art without the use
of computers. It was Fr. Sebastian Fernando who also discovered Hector
Welgampola who later became Editor of both the Catholic Messenger and
Gnanartha Pradeepaya later joined Lucan. Fr. Sebastian continued his
teaching apostolate in Gonsalves Pamunugama etc.
On the day of Msgr Maxwell's ordination among the suggestions the
Archbishop Nicholas Marcus was "now that we have 21 priests" in Fr.
Maxwell ordination class of 1981. "Why won't some of you take up to the
teaching Apostolate?" One of the young and newly ordained priests who
responded positively and persevered is Fr. Maxwell, Fr. Ivan Perera and
now Fr. Ranjith Madurawela who is looking out for young priests to take
up teaching as a part time or full time apostolate. Archbishop Nicholas
Marcus Fernando encouraged Fr. Maxi as quoted above.
Fr. Maxi was assistant to Fr. Leo Perera from August 23, 1981 to 1983
at Dalugama parish, so close to Kelaniya University. Many undergraduates
from Kelaniya university found (old Mission house not the present day
mission house) a welcome home and a place of meeting both Fr. Leo and
Fr. Maxwell. Along with old Dalugama mission house was the English
Institute mostly to cater to the Kelaniya University students. English
Institute was the brain child of Fr. Anthony Fernando OMI who was in the
teaching staff of the Christian Department of Kelaniya University.
Fr. Maxwell moved to Middelavita Parish (with Thibbatugoda as his
residential place). In order to facilitate his teaching apostolate in
the government schools as a government registered teacher he was
assigned residence in Kerawalapitiya St Joseph's church.
The parish priest in charge of Nayakakanda, Balagala and
Keravalapitiya remained in Nayakakanda. Many other priests who started
government teaching apostolate combined with the parish work along with
Msgr Mazwell fell by the wayside.
Msgr Maxi served as full time government teacher from 1992-1998 at
St. Joseph's College Grandpass. From 1998-2001 in the Basilica College
Ragama, from 2001 till his appointment as the Auxiliary Bishop. He was
the Government appointed principal of St. Thomas College, Kotte.
Msgr Maxwell acquired many other academic qualifications that he
could while teaching as a government teacher. From the National seminary
Ampitiya Kandy like all who study there obtained the (Rome). He did his
B.A B.Th(Hons) in Kelaniya University. In the Maharagama National
Institute Dip. in Education PGDE.
Dip in Accountancy, M.A.(Sociology) Kelaniya University, MED in the
National Institute of Education, Maharagama.
[Weekly Devotions]
Testimony of King Nebuchadnaser
King Nebuchadnaser was a great king who captured many cities and was
a renowned monarch who ruled around 605 B.C. he was a leader who allowed
his subjects to keep their own gods. He thought by doing this he could
get their cooperation in his rule. Although he robbed their lands and
took their riches, he allowed them to keep their idols and allowed them
to worship as they were used to. He some times even worshiped the gods
of the people he conquered.
![](z_p18-Testimony.jpg)
To me this shows that he was actually searching in his heart to find
God and here below is the extract of scriptures as seen in the Bible
that King Nebuchadnaser had a mighty revelation of God through a vivid
dream he had, which makes him desperate to want this dream to be
interpreted. Of course God had prepared His servant Daniel to truthfully
give its interpretation, although it was not easy to be the bearer of
bad news to a mighty king during that period. We find God's revelation
does not stop with just telling king Nebuchadnaser who He is but it
follows with a great trial which lingered for seven long years of
humbling the king to realize pride and arrogance has to be cleared from
his life and even a mighty kins as the world recognizes has to bow down
to the Creator who hates these qualities in a mere human being. Both
these qualities that king Nebuchadnaser portrayed in his life of pride
and arrogance belonged to Satan and not God, and if one has to follow
God these qualities have to be taken away.
Daniel 4 (King James Version)
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages,
that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it
good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward
me.
How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom
is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to
generation. I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing
in
my palace: I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon
my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Therefore made I a decree
to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make
known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the
soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make
known unto me the interpretation thereof.
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar,
according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy
gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the
spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell
me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation
thereof. Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold
a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto
heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it
was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the
fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed
of it.
I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher
and an holy one came down from heaven;
He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his
branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts
get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a
band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be
wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in
the grass of the earth:
Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given
unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the
word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the
most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he
will, and etteth up over it the basest of men.
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar,
declare the interpretation thereof,
forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make
known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of
the holy gods is in thee.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour,
and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar,
let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.
Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate
thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. The tree that
thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the
heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; Whose leaves were fair,
and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the
beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the
heaven had their habitation: It is thou, O king, that art grown and
become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and
thy dominion to the end of the earth.
And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from
heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the
stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and
brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew
of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till
seven times pass over him; This is the interpretation, O king, and this
is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the
beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and
they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass
over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy
kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that
the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable
unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities
by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy
tranquility. All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of
12 months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have
built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the
honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell
a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is
spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with
the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and
seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was
driven from men, and did eat grass as
oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs
were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. And
at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven,
and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High,
and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is
an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to
generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:
and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the
inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him,
What doest thou?
At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my
kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors
and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and
excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and
extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his
ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
PRAYER
Lord, our heavenly Father, I am humbled so much as I read this
portion of
scripture where a mighty king was brought down to acknowledge you as
the
Creator of the Universe and that your kingdom shall rule from
generation
to generation. I thank you that you reveal yourself to people form
all
walks of life, whether it be a king, a beggar, a woman or a child.
You
have various ways of revealing yourself when we search for you. Help
us
to search and look for you because when we do this your promise for
us is
that we will find you. We know some times, we have to be brought down
as
we are full of pride and arrogance and even as king Nebuchadnaser
allowed
you to deal with him to bring him to a deep knowledge of you and a
close
walk with you help us too Father to realize that knowing you is the
most
important thing in our lives.
Please Lord, do not let wealth, position materialism and everything
that
the world acknowledges as being great to prevent me from knowing
you.Reveal yourself to me my Lord so that i can begin to walk with
you
and enter into a deep relationship knowing spiritual truths that only
you can teach.
I confess my sins before you, wash and make me whole so that I can
place my hand in your nail pierc
Sunitha sahayam
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