May 5, 2019 - "Sri Lanka Killing at Three Christian Churches"

Hundreds of worshipers at three Christian churches in Sri Lanka were killed on Easter Sunday in a coordinated series of bombings.  Three luxury hotels packed with tourists were also targeted by suicide bombers.  The government of Sri Lanka has blamed the local Islamist terrorist group National Throwheed Jamath (NTJ) for the suicide bombings.  In addition, the Islamist State group on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, claimed responsibility for the attacks through its Aamaq news agency but offered no evidence for their claim.  Two of the places of worship that were targeted by the suicide bombers were Catholic Churches:  St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo and St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo.  Another blast at the Evangelical Zion Church in the eastern coastal town of Batticaloa also claimed many lives.  As of April 23, 2019, the death toll rose to 321, with 500 people wounded in the worst violence Sri Lanka has experienced since the end of its civil war in 2009.
 
Bishop Winston Fernando of Badulla, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka said that Catholics have responded to the appeal of the local bishops and maintained calm despite the pain and suffering.  Bishop Fernando mentioned that the passion of Christ is helping them at this “trying moment.”  But despite their strong faith, Bishop Fernando said, some people are “upset and angry” but the priests, religious and good faithful lay people have been able to motivate them and accept things calmly.  Bishop Fernando went on to mention that he was disappointed with the government of Sri Lanka in dealing with the crisis.  In his opinion, despite warning about the impending talks, the country’s intelligence failed.  He also commented that the need of the hour is for “good leadership,” and it was “not right and proper to take political advantage at this moment.”
 
Cardinal Malcom Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, expressed concern that authorities had not acted immediately after receiving prior information of possible terrorist attacks.  He also urged citizens not take the law into their own hands and refrain from harming persons of other faiths.  The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka called on the Christian community to remain calm and avoid being misled by rumors during this time of crisis.  All Catholic-run schools in Sri Lanka have been closed until April 29 owing to the security crisis.
 
On Easter Sunday morning after learning about the bombings, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following statement:
“This morning in Sri Lanka a coordinated series of bombings killed hundreds of worshipers in Catholic Churches and others of all faiths in nearby hotels. The Churches were St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo and Zion Church in the eastern city of Batticaloa. This great evil targeted these churches as they were packed full of worshipers who were celebrating Easter, the day in which Christians around the world celebrate the rising of the King of Peace from the dead. We offer our prayers for the victims and their families. And we join with all people of good will in condemning these acts of terrorism. This evil cannot overcome the hope found in our Savior’s Resurrection. May the God of hope who has raised his Son, fill all hearts with the desire for peace.”
 
Let me conclude this week’s column with this prayer:  For all those killed by the bombings in Sri Lanka, may they see the face the living God and rest in eternal peace, let us pray to the Lord.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John