Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Religions, Evangelisation: Buddhism 73%, Hinduism 15%, Christianity 5%, Islam 7%.
Chronology of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka
1332: Franciscan Oderico da Pordenone stays for a short while;
1517: Franciscans arrive in Colombo;
1540: 600 martyrs in Mannar;
1542: kingdom of Christian Prince Dharmapala;
1544: St Francis Xavier first visit;
1545: St Francis Xavier second visit;
1548: St Francis Xavier third visit;
1602: arrival of first Jesuits;
1656:Calvinism declared official religion in regions occupied by Dutch colonialists, Catholics persecuted;
1687: secret arrival of Fr. Joseph Vaz who reorganises missionary activity;
1796: with British occupation Anglican Christianity is privileged with the obligation to protect Buddhism;
1834: Apostolic Vicariate of Colombo created;
1886: Catholic hierarchy established, Colombo archdiocese suffragans Jaffna, Kandy;
1960: nationalisation of almost all private schools;
1962: residence permits for missionaries shortened:
1965: first Sri Lanka born Cardinal Archbishop Cooray of Colombo;
1966: government makes Poya the weekly holiday instead of Sunday
1970: Pope Paul visits and says Mass at Katunayake airport;
1971: Left wing in power, Marxist and ultra national youth uprising traumatises the local Catholic Church which reacts with even greater efforts to serve the poor, defend Tamil tea plantation workers, working with other Christians and the Buddhist majority;
1973: Badulla diocese created with territory taken from Kandy diocese Uva province;
1975: Apostolic Prefecture of Anuradhapura created;
1980: Sinhalese communities outnumber Tamils: latter's rights eroded;
1981: diocese of Mannar created;
1982: diocese of Anuradhapura created;
1983: July, bloody clashes between, Sinhalese and Tamils. Some priests arrested;
1984: violence between Sinhalese and Tamils. Many Tamils flee the country. June and January Bishops issue pastoral letters on the situation.
1986: 3 March, two priests accused of collusion with terrorists, then acquitted;
1987: diocese of Kurunegala created;
1988: 9 March Interreligious Committee meets to study paths of national reconciliation;
1989: in Tamil regions religious Muslim, Anglican and Catholic leaders call for dialogue and a return to peace;
1990: Catholic Justice and Peace Commission calls government and rebels to stop fighting and negotiate;
1995: visit by John Paul II, boycotted by a few Buddhist who criticise the Pope's presentation of Buddhism in his book “Crossing the Thresholds of Hope”. Pope John Paul II beatifies Fr Joseph Vaz on 21 January “The work of Joseph Vaz, an Indian Oratorian priest, known as the Apostle of Sri Lanka, did much to spread the Catholic faith despite persecution by Dutch colonialists. His holiness and originality of his missionary methods were the secret of his success” (Special Assembly of Synod of Bishops for Asia, Lineamenta, n. 10).
Statistics
Catholics: 1,256,000 (6,7%); dioceses: 11 (1 Metropolitan archdiocese of Colombo, e 10 suffragans); parishes: 361; mission stations: 665; bishops: 16; diocesan priests: 541; religious priests: 297; Brothers: 214; Sisters: 2.309; catechists: 7.497; major seminarians: 386; 1 priest per 21,660 inhabitants or 1,440 Catholics. In 10 years 1971 to 1981, the Catholic population dropped by 0,2%: due to birth control and repatriation in India of many plantation workers and exile chosen by many Tamils in the north. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/7/2007; righe 62, parole 660)
