On Sri Lanka

Easter day incidents
Press release by the Bishops of the Church of Ceylon

We are terribly shocked and deeply saddened by the barbarous acts of violence brought on innocent worshippers, children, women and men at Easter Sunday services at St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade, St. Sebastien’s Church, Negombo and Zion Church, Batticaloa., as well as on several hotels in Colombo targeting visitors to our country.

The Church of Ceylon unreservedly condemns these cowardly and cruel acts of terrorism and we offer our deep condolences to the families and friends of the over one hundred persons who have lost their lives and those who have been hurt. We wish all those who have been injured full recovery. We pray for them and their families that God’s comforting presence will continue to be with them through this tragic experience.

We call on the government to institute quick action to investigate thoroughly these incidents and to bring the perpetrators to justice., to ensure the safety of places of religious worship and to prevent any individuals or group taking the law into their hands or provoking acts of intimidation or violence against any community or group.

We call on all Sri Lankans to be mindful at this time and to act with patience and understanding. We ask for the continued support of all security and emergency services in ensuring public peace and in providing care for the affected the motives of those twisted and warped minds who planned and executed such appalling acts could very well be to destabilize the country and to cause damage to the unity and harmony of our nation.

We pray that these persons, whoever they may be, will be awakened to the awfulness of their crime.

We pray we will be able to journey through this dark phase of our country. May the Peace of the Risen Christ who on the cross prayed for forgiveness be with you all.

Rt. Revd. Dhiloraj Canagasabey  -Bishop of Colombo
& Rt. Revd. Keerthisiri Fernando - Bishop of Kurunegala

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The following is Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s statement on the violence in Sri Lanka:

The joy of Easter was mixed with grief following the dreadful attacks that morning on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, bombings that left hundreds dead and wounded. Our hearts ache for the all those who mourn this week, and Episcopalians join with countless persons of good will in praying for the power of love to overcome the forces of hatred and violence. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercies of God, Rest In Peace.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
The Episcopal Church

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Archbishop Justin Welby sent this message to an Ecumenical Service of Prayer for Sri Lanka at St John’s Southall Green, London, yesterday after the killings on Easter Day.

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I am profoundly shocked and deeply saddened by the appalling events in Sri Lanka yesterday.

There is something especially blasphemous about the wanton and indiscriminate taking of human life on the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord of all life: Jesus Christ, Saviour of the World.

The killing of those who were engaged in worship is an obscene denial of the basic freedom God has given us all. Sri Lanka has suffered so much as a nation and the trauma of these deaths cannot serve the purpose of anyone who truly knows God, the creator and sustainer of life in all its fullness.

Although I cannot be with you in person, please be assured of my thoughts and prayers for you as you meet in Southall and for all who grieve in Sri Lanka.

We are called to be part of the global body of Christ and we hurt because others are hurt; we mourn when others mourn; we cry out on behalf of the injured, the bereaved and the terrified; and we pray that Sri Lanka and all Sri Lankans across the globe, will know the peace and protection of Almighty God this evening.

Yours in Christ,

++Justin 

 

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We would like to share this prayer from The Venerable Jo Kelly-Moore, Archdeacon of Canterbury, in response to yesterday’s distressing events in Sri Lanka.

A Prayer for Sri Lanka

God of resurrection life
we pray for the people of Sri Lanka.

We commend to your eternal love
those who have been senselessly killed
as they gathered for Easter celebrations,
and we pray for those who mourn.

We pray for the many injured
and for all caring for them.

We proclaim the hope of the risen Christ
as we pray for peace,
peace for the people of Sri Lanka
and for all who are persecuted
because of their faith.

We pray for peace
among the nations of the world.

In the truth and hope of the risen Christ
transform all darkness to light,
all fear to trust,
and all hatred to love,
in the name of Jesus Christ,
our risen Saviour. Amen.