by Melani Manel Perera

Sister Deepa Fernando (Sisters of the Holy Family) expresses the affection the people of Sri Lanka have for the Holy Father. According to the nun, the Pope calls for "men and women to enjoy equal and inviolable dignity," urging the clergy to "proclaim the Word in a missionary way, focusing on the essentials, giving priority to the Gospel and its freshness."

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The people of Sri Lankan, Catholics and others, wish Pope Francis "good health, joy and support from the Holy Trinity, as they wait for him to visit their country in the near future," said Sister Deepa Fernando, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family, who via AsiaNews sends her birthday greetings to the Holy Father, who celebrates 77 years today.

A former Principle of KalutaraHoly Family convent, Sister Deepa is a councillor for the Colombo province of her congregation. In her view, one of the most important aspects of Pope Francis' character is "the courage with which he challenges the life of priests and nuns, inviting them to go out among the poorest and neediest communities, to help them assert themselves as human beings."

"Democracy and equality are echoed in his own words," the sister explained. "He calls for men and women to enjoy equal and inviolable dignity because they are all loved by God."

At the same time, he wants "the clergy to go out to the fringes of existence to trace new paths," she added.

"Increasingly, people abandon the Church or lose interest, but for the pope, we priests and nuns are also responsible [for this trend]. Our mission for the Church is thus to bring these people to the Lord." Therefore, "we must proclaim the Word in a missionary way, focusing on the essentials, giving priority to the Gospel and its freshness."

"It is evident that, in spite of wars, corruption and all kinds of wickedness, a prophet has come once again in human history to convert people and institutions."

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