Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Anuradhapura (Fides Service) - It was Holy Cross church in Pulasthigama, diocese Anuradhapura which was sacked and burned to the gound on Saturday 16 July the local Bishop Norbert Andradi told Fides, adding that this unprecendented crime left the people dismayed and fearful: “This is the first time a church in our diocese is attacked and we are deeply shocked. People are afraid and wonder what reason was behind the aggression. The attack happened in broad daylight. The only people in the church at the time were two Catholic boys who had stopped to say a prayer. Suddenly a group of hooded men broke into the church and began to smash everything, including the altar and crucifix. The two boys were badly beaten but managed to escape. When the criminals had completed their work of destruction they set fire to the building. Local Catholic families rushed to put out the fire with water but it was too late, charred ruins were all that was left of the church”.
With regard to the motive behind the attack the Bishop said: “We fail to understand the reason, except spreading anti-Christian sentiments connected with the question of conversions. In other parts of Sri Lanka Protestant churches have been attacked but it is nearly always the Catholic community which suffers most from violence”.
The Bishop said he had written letters of protest to the civil authorities and local Buddhist leaders who condemned the attack and replied with messages of solidarity. “In the meantime people of the area gather in the open for prayer - the Bishop said - and we are organising a peaceful protest to express our concern for this senseless violence and confirm our commitment for peace and harmony in society. Christians will not be drawn into acts of retaliation we want only dialogue and peace”.
Anuradhapura diocese in the centre north of Sri Lanka has a population of 1.4 million mainly Buddhists. There are about 12,500 Catholics. Once the capital of Sri Lanka Anuradhapura is traditionaly known as the place where Buddha had “3 illuminations” and is one of the the most important holy places for Buddhists in south east Asia. Buddhists and Christians here have always lived side by side in harmony, indeed in the 20 years of civil war the communities worked together to promote reconciliation.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/07/2005 Righe: 20 Parole: 202)
