Colombo: Christians "have a duty to build a lasting peace in our society"
Colombo (AsiaNews) Sri Lankan Christians "have a duty to break the wall of silence that surrounds the war between Tamil rebels and the government"; above all, "they are called by the Lord to build a lasting peace in our society," said Duleep Chikera, anglican bishop of Colombo, as he commenced a Marian procession yesterday in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.
Ahead of the event nearly 800 lay people, priests, brothers and sisters took part in a long vigil of meditation and prayer. The common prayer was read in favour of peace in the war-torn nation.
The faithful met in front of Our Lady of Peace church and from there made their way to St Philip Neri church carrying a statue of Our Lady of Miracles.
Inspired by the theme "Happy are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God", the prayer service began at 3 pm presided by bishop Chikera; the administrator of Blessed Sacrament Fathers at St. Philip Neri's Church, Father Nilendra; and their Vicar, Fr C.A.G. Christoper.
"We as Christian have a duty to make our society peaceful. Faced with evil that grows so quickly before our very eyes, we cannot remain silent. We must break it and meditate on the best ways to re-establish harmony".
Prayers, mediation and hymns were sung in both Sinhala and Tamil, Sri Lanka's main languages, but also in English.
Lasting some 90 minute, the first part of the service was followed by a two kilometre procession during which the faithful carried the statue of Our Lady on their shoulders and recited the Rosary.
"We need peace, "a Tamil mother of four living in Colombo told AsiaNews. "We need to live together like sisters and brothers. I believe that Our Lady of Miracles will grant us peace if we pray together."
"Actually I am from Jaffna," 70-year-ol Johan Pillai said. "But because of the war we cannot live there anymore. Everyday we wait with open eyes to see an end to this war situation. We need to go back to home".
.png)
19/02/2008
