杏MAP导航 urges for truth behind Sri Lanka's Easter bombing
By Robin Gomes
杏MAP导航 Francis on Monday expressed his closeness with the families of the victims of Sri Lanka鈥檚 Easter Sunday bombings 3 years ago, and urged the country's authorities to unveil the truth behind the attacks, saying it will usher in peace.
He also prayed that the country be able to tide over its worst economic crisis in living memory.
The 杏MAP导航 was addressing some 3,500 Sri Lankan Catholics working in Italy, including a delegation of the families of victims and survivors of the 2019 terrorist bomb attacks, led by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo.
Easter Sunday attacks
Some 270 people were killed, including at least 45 foreign nationals and some 500 were injured, as 3 churches and 3 luxury hotels were hit in a series of coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide bomb attacks on 21 April 2019.
Most of the casualties took place in St. Sebastian鈥檚 Catholic Church in the suburb of Negombo, belonging to Cardinal Ranjith鈥檚 Archdiocese of Colombo, where 113 died. The other churches hit were St. Anthony鈥檚 Shrine in Kochchikade, also of Colombo Archdiocese, and the Evangelical Zion Church of Batticaloa on the eastern coast.
The outspoken Sri Lankan Cardinal has been vigorously calling for justice, alleging that the government has been covering up the investigations into the bombings, in order to protect the brains behind them.
The hope of Christ's Resurrection
Speaking to the Sri Lankan group at the end of a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Ranjith in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica in the Vatican, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that they were gathered there to mark the 鈥渁nniversary of the tragic events which, on Easter Day 2019, sowed death and terror in Sri Lanka鈥�.
Assuring them with the Easter greeting of the Risen Lord, "Peace be with you", the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥淚n the face of the horror and absurdity of certain acts, which seem impossible to be committed by people, it is evident that this is the work of the Evil One.鈥�
He said this explains why 鈥渢he Son of God, the Innocent, the Holy, the Righteous, had to die crucified to save us鈥�.
鈥淗e took upon himself not only death, but the cruelty of evil, hatred, fratricidal violence. His Cross and his Resurrection are light of hope in the thickest darkness,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, urging the Sri Lankan Catholics to 鈥減ray for all the victims of violence and war, especially terrorism鈥�.
Appeal to authorities
杏MAP导航 Francis then made an appeal to the authorities of Sri Lanka regarding the Easter bombings.
鈥淧lease, out of love for justice, out of love for your people, let it be made clear once and for all who were responsible for these events,鈥� he said, assuring, 鈥淭his will bring peace to your conscience and to your country.鈥�
The Holy Father told the Catholics that he also wanted to join them to pray for their homeland, which he visited in 2015.
鈥淟et us pray for the authorities, for those who have social and educational responsibilities and for all the people,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淢ay the present difficulties be solved with the commitment and collaboration of all,鈥� he urged.
Economic crisis
The Holy Father was referring to Sri Lanka鈥檚 worst economic nightmare in its history since its independence from British rule in 1948.
With foreign exchange reserves abysmally low, the South Asian nation is struggling to import essential goods, such as food, fuel, cooking gas and medicine, and is facing power cuts of up to 13 hours a day. The devaluation of its currency has sent inflation soaring to 21.5 percent in March, the highest so far, hitting the already struggling businesses and exporters, but especially the people.
Sri Lanka has been roiled with nationwide protests demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa and his government over the unprecedented crisis blamed on rank corruption and mismanagement.
Concluding his greetings, 杏MAP导航 Francis imparted his blessing on the Sri Lankan community, inviting them to pray for the Church in Sri Lanka that it be filled with the Holy Spirit and joyfully announce the Gospel of Christ the Saviour.
Calls for justice
Cardinal Ranjith marked the 3rd anniversary of the Eastern bombings with a ceremony at St. Sebastian鈥檚 Church on Thursday. Without mincing words, he blamed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government for failing to keep his pledge to grant justice to the victims and cleansing the country of 鈥渁ll elements of terror鈥�.
鈥淭he incumbent president who campaigned on a promise to investigate the attack have forgotten all those promises, brushed commission findings under the rug, attempted to hide facts,鈥� Cardinal Ranjith said. Condemning the coverup, he warned that 鈥渆veryone responsible for this will suffer the consequences of their actions soon鈥�.
The Cardinal has also been blaming the government for the current economic crunch, calling for unity among politicians to save the nation from becoming a failed state.
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