Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) - The Lord called him late in life: former Sri Lankan businessman Philip Motha was recently ordained a priest for Colombo archdiocese at the age of 72. The Ordination, held in Colombo Cathedral, was presided by Archbishop Oswald Gomis. Priest, religious and thousands of people from all over Sri Lanka, India and Singapore came for the event.
Philip was born in Sri Lanka but later went to live in Karnataka (India), where he and his wife, Lilly who died a few years ago, were in the hotel business, managing the well known Victoria Hotel in Bangalore.
Philip was born and educated in Sri Lanka. Later in the 1960s he went to work in Singapore and then in India. After studies in economy in London in 1973 he taught Management Studies at Singapore University. In the 1990s he was President of the Association of Businessmen of Sri Lanka and Singapore.
It was after his wife died that he felt the call to become a priest. At the age of 68 he entered the Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore and obtained a Licentiate in philosophy and theology. When he entered the Seminary Philip said: “When God called me I heard a voice in my heart: He was calling me to help build up His Kingdom of love, peace and brotherhood”. Philip will now be a full time priest for the archdiocese of Colombo, administering the Sacraments, visiting families, helping the poor and the sick.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2004 lines 25 words 254)
