ASIA/SRI LANKA - “Benedict XVI is a man of humility who knows how to listen and he is a very holy man” said Archbishop of Kandy who addressed the Pope on behalf of the Bishops of Sri Lanka

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “It was a most touching encounter, not in the least formal. What struck us most about Pope Benedict XVI was his simplicity and his readiness to listen” Archbishop Vianney Fernando of Kandy told Fides referring to the ad limina visit made by the Bishops of Sri Lanka to Pope Benedict XVI. “It was a great honour and privilege for us to be the first group of Bishops to be received on ad limina visit by the new Pope” said the Archbishop who is president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka. “We are convinced that to evangelise Asia - a key task for the Church in the third millennium- holiness is indispensable. This is a language which the peoples of Asia recognise and appreciate. And Pope Ratzinger is a holy man. We are sure his pontificate will give new impetus to the work of spreading the Good News in Asia”.
In his address to the Bishops the Pope did not fail to mention the post-tsunami situation. “With 40,000 dead and one million homeless- the Archbishop told Fides - many families lost members, home and work, it was a terrible tragedy. The world responded promptly and the universal Church is doing her part. Thanks to aid from Cor Unum and Caritas Internationalis, we the local Catholic Church are helping with the rebuilding for more than 4 million dollars. In agreement with the government we have been assigned to priorities: care for children and help heal psychological trauma and restore people’s hope and confidence in the future.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2005 righe 21 parole 221)