Cardinal
Ranjith: Pope Francis can "push" reconciliation in Sri Lanka
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis was scheduled to leave on Monday
evening for the 7th Apostolic Trip of his Pontificate. The first stop of
his two-nation journey is Sri Lanka.
Welcoming him will be
the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith, and the President
of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena.
Sirisena was elected
on January 8th, beating incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who held office
for nearly 10 years.
“Strange enough, all
three Popes who came to Sri Lanka – Pope Paul, Pope John Paul, and Pope Francis
– the government that invited is not the government to receive him,” commented
Cardinal Ranjith.
The newly elected President has promised to works towards
reconciliation on the island, where a decades long civil war ended in
2009. The predominantly-Buddhist Sinhalese make up about 75% of the
population, with predominantly-Hindu Tamils being the largest minority
group. Catholics make up just 6% of the population, and are comprised of
both Sinhalese and Tamils.
“I think [Pope
Francis’] coming at this time with a new government – the new government has
promised to work for reconciliation among the people – and I think his coming
right at the beginning of that government, is a good indication that he will be
able to give a push to that decision of the new government to work towards a
reconciliation between the Sinhalese and the Tamils after the 30-year civil
war,” Cardinal Ranjith told Vatican Radio.
The Cardinal also
noted the Pope wants to keep things simple, and to have contact with the poor
and sick of Sri Lanka.
“We are happy he is
taking that attitude,” said Cardinal Ranjith, “because it is I think an example
to all of us, especially to us bishops, and Cardinals!
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