by Melani Manel Perera

Rev Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey is the capital’s new bishop. An ethnic Tamil, he is married to a Sinhalese. More than 5,000 people welcome the new bishop, hopeful that he will be a courageous witness for peace in Sri Lanka.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Rev Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey is the new Anglican bishop of Colombo. The ordination took place on Saturday in Colombo’s Christ the Living Saviour Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated in Sinhalese, English and Tamil with the participation of eight Anglican bishops, both local and foreign. More than 5,000 people greeted the new bishop, including the faithful, priests, friends of the pastor, religious dignitaries and political leaders.

After the sermon by the Ven Godwin Weerasuriya, Mgr Dhiloraj Ranjit went to the altar, placed his right hand on the open Bible and, facing the congregation, made his pledge.

At the end of the service, participants welcomed the new bishop with the sound of drums and Church bells, as well as the exchange of two baskets of flowers as a token of peace between the country’s North and South.

Born in the Eastern Province, Mgr Dhiloraj is an ethnic Tamil married to a Sinhalese woman from Colombo.

“The context in which he was raised makes us believe that he will be able to keep us on the right track, following the teachings of Jesus and thinking about what is good for everyone in our society,” diocesan councillor Methsiri L.S. Dias said.

“The bishop has challenges ahead, big and small, local and external to our society,” said Rev Marimuttu Sathivel. “We hope he will make his voice heard and not walk in the darkness as many do.”

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• lanka
• anglican
• bishop
• colombo
• dhiloraj
• ranjit
• inauguration