by Our Correspondent in Colombo
A group of Sri Lankan Catholics, including victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, held a press conference yesterday to voice their strong opposition to what they described as the growing politicisation of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. They urged Church leaders to restore the institution’s spiritual focus and reaffirm its moral responsibilities.
During the event, speakers expressed grave concern about the misuse of Church premises and the erosion of Christian values. One participant alleged that in some instances, Church spaces had been turned into places where dead bodies were kept for several days and where gambling, including casino-style activities, had taken place. “This is not what sacred spaces are for. It’s a violation of everything we hold sacred,” the speaker said.
A significant focus of the press conference was the lack of transparency regarding large sums of money the Church has received in recent years. The group revealed that the Church had received Rs. 311 million through court-related processes, and an additional Rs. 1 billion from various Muslim social organisations. However, the group stated that there has been no public accounting of how the Rs. 1.311 billion in total has been spent. “People have a right to know. Victims are still waiting for justice, yet there’s silence about how this money has been used,” one speaker remarked.
The group also criticised the growing influence of online commentators, particularly on YouTube, who have been speaking about Church-related matters. They alleged that many of these individuals have distorted facts and misled the public. “Some may be well-intentioned, but much of it is irresponsible and damaging. It undermines trust and creates further confusion,” a member said.
A particularly forceful message was directed at Father Jude Chrysantha, the spokesperson for the Archbishop of Colombo. The group condemned his recent statements in support of capital punishment, asserting that such views directly contradict Catholic teachings. “Calling for someone to be hanged is not part of Catholic doctrine. It goes against the principles of mercy and dignity of life,” said a speaker. They demanded that Father Jude issue a public apology. “If he cannot apologise, then he should remove his robe and go home. He no longer represents us or the faith we stand for.”
The press conference concluded with a strong call for the Church to separate itself from political entanglements and recommit to its spiritual mission. “This must end,” the group declared. “The Church must not serve political interests. It must serve God, truth, and the people.”
