Bishop Dushantha Rodrigo
My dear Fellow Travellers,
Welcome to two days of encounter in body, mind, and spirit. I am conscious that this is far from ideal. If we are to meet as one family, the onus is on us to create a safe and healthy environment for all. It is the responsibility of each one of us when we chose to move outside our homes and how we chose to travel. Being carefree and happy go lucky will put ourselves and others at risk. Freedom of movement comes at a very high cost of infection. Presently, we are called upon to be conscious of our neighbors’ health needs before we venture out of our homes. To those who have been able to brave the odds and are at one of the session Centers, I bid you welcome to the 136th sessions of the Diocesan Council.
A Time of Uncertainty and Cancellations
We have lived through a year that posed many challenges. As a faith community, we could not meet for worship. We were unable to gather for other parish activities as well. Parishes could not hold their Annual General Meetings, while other events had to be postponed or scaled down. We learned how to meet remotely. We are an electronic community speaking a different language and getting better at it by the day. Clergy are conscious that members of the community may not be reachable. Due to connectivity issues, they are mindful when organizing programs. Today we consider “our reach.” Previously we catered to those who came. Parishes have taken the trouble to work with service providers to keep their people connected. For many, electronic churches is beyond them, but a more personal and physical encounter is not an option yet. What is good in an emergency should not become a way of life.
We could not keep to our calendars due to the uncertainty that prevailed. Many parish visits and services of Confirmation had to be given alternate dates.
We drew the attention of the health authorities to their insensitive decision making on the regulations about places of worship. When the entire country opened up with certain restrictions, places of worship remained closed. Our response to the pandemic must not be one in which we show preferences to some while restricting others. We need to take collective responsibility to ensure that we safeguard the dignity and rights of all people.
The Theme of the Council
The theme of the World Council of Churches General Assembly 2022 in Karlsruhe Germany is, Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity. The pandemic has made us look at life very differently. The slogan is social distancing. As a council, we are called upon to look at healing, the social and economic dimension that comes with it.
Isolation and lockdowns are the realities that have governed our lives these past several months.
To come alongside people in their time of need should be our response as interdependent people. We look for ways of isolating ourselves rather than rallying around. Solidarity teaches us an important lesson. If I reach my destination by myself, I am alone. If I recognize a fellow traveler and my journey is slow because I stop on the way and that too several times. My walk has been worthwhile. Often, we are called alongside someone. We hear, see and respond. The good Samaritan teaches us to look only at the nakedness and not the identity of the one who is on the road. Ask for nothing in return. Make the situation of the other our own.
We have become more fervent in prayer for those in the frontlines of medical care. Healing is God’s work. Caring is the work of everyone around us. We have heard of people who cared for patients with COVID putting themselves at risk. They were responding to human needs. To many who have had no closure, the healing process will take time. Each one is entitled to work it out for themselves at their pace. Solidarity is not offering answers but exercising a ministry of presence.
The church repeatedly calls the State to work for reconciliation and peace among the diverse communities in the country. The long road to reconciliation and unity cannot be marred by successive governments using terror tactics to suppress the voice of people. The call to build trust among all communities is a gospel imperative. For the cause of unity and justice, there is no rest. We cannot hope to live in peace unless we have done our part and live in a way that others can live in peace. Reconciliation is our ongoing task. There is no rest.
175th Anniversary of the Diocese of Colombo
Regional services were held and a prayer book for children by the Board of Christian Education were published. Other diocesan organizations conducted programs to commemorate the event. The history of the diocese will be updated and printed early next year. The Diocese of Kurunagala had a service and the concluding service in Colombo was held on the 7th of November with several parishes participating online. It was an unusual liturgical experience that connected the diocesan family.
We wrote to all parishes requesting them to write a brief history. This exercise will help in compiling the history of the diocese.
Eightieth Anniversary of the CCYM
The Church of Ceylon Youth Movement’s (CCYM) eightieth year concluded with a thanksgiving service in the Cathedral.
Youth who play a vital role in most parishes have been at the forefront of virtual services and other activities.
The youth should be engaged in defining the way forward. We have got through the first year of this decade. A participatory role by them that is complementary to the efforts of others and which is life-giving is desirous.
Formation is vital for this, and will give guidance to our youth. It is a must for the church that embraces change.
Parish Pastoral Teams
We need to equip the entire people of God to engage in mission. For too long we have been saying that we must free ourselves from being a clergy dependent church. On the one hand, it is encouraging to see lay people taking responsibility in parishes. On the other, some formal training will further equip them. Through the Cathedral Institute for Education and Formation (CIEF), relevant programs for parishes will be made available. If we are to be a vibrant and mission-oriented church, we must be a learning and discerning church.
Lambeth Conversations and Preparations as a Diocese
The theme of the Lambeth Conference of July – August 2022. Is “God’s Church for God’s World – walking, listening, and witnessing together”.
The Anglican/Episcopal Bishops prepare with their dioceses to address the theme from within their contexts. 1 Peter being the biblical text for study.
Monthly conversations have enabled small groups of bishops to come together for study and reflection. These will help create friendships as a buildup to the conference.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP26, is included in the bishops’ conversations for study. A special webinar for bishops has been organized with experts on the 29th of November. There is a sense of urgency, along with a worldwide commitment to address climate change and related issues.
The recent weather patterns and the threat to life as a whole due to human originated disasters is a clear wake-up call.
The sinking of The Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo has caused much damage to the environment the consequences of which successive generations will have to suffer due to wrong decisions and negligence on the part of those before them.
New Delhi was forced to close down schools, not due to COVID but due to smog and haze which, tells us that unless there is a change in lifestyles, we have little or no chance of saving planet earth.
As part of the hundred and seventy-fifth-anniversary events, planting trees in church compounds and home gardens is encouraged by CEMET.
Education amidst COVID
The impact of COVID on education is still not assessed. Private and International schools commenced online learning. The vast majority of the student population was left at the mercy of unscrupulous tuition teachers or to their own devices. Most Parents found themselves unable to help due to a gap in knowledge and little or no help from the education sector.
Attempts to use TV channels as an accessible means provided some learning. Education, on the whole, was left to the parents and children.
As schools limp back, a very different student returns to begin an unusual school routine. Examinations are thrust upon them as a means of assessing the helpless child and, parents struggle to keep up to these expectations.
Online work for parents and learning for children found parents and children working to the dictates of people and institutions that controlled their time, leisure, and privacy.
A Creative Approach to learning is the way forward. We need to seek a more collaborative, contextual, exploratory, emotional, and expressional, life skill- based learning. Our schools and homes primarily must generate happiness. They must become happy schools and happy homes.
The Economic Debacle
People have found that they cannot make ends meet. More people are falling through the safety net into abject poverty. The scarcity of essential items such as powdered milk and shortages in gas revealed a bungling of the economy. With severe restrictions on imports due to very limited foreign exchange reserves, the country will have to seek bailouts which will further plunge the nation into debt.
With the ban on inorganic fertilizer and agrochemicals, farmers have found it impossible to engage in cultivation. Some have abandoned it altogether.
Youth who queued up to get the relevant documents to leave the country said they do not see a stable future for them in the island.
The government passed the budget for 2022 with 153 votes.
The COVID Vaccination Program
The government and the health authorities must be commended for the vaccination program carried out throughout the country.
The setting up of quarantine centers and the care of patients brought down the number of deaths that suddenly went up considerably due to the Delta variant.
All sections of the community need to respond positively as this health crisis is not over. Hospitals need to be equipped and developed with trained personnel.
Psychological support for families with no closure and stigmatized for contracting the virus must be made available. The church with people of all faiths can find itself supporting the healing process.
One Country One Law
Amidst the health and economic crises, a presidential task force was gazetted and came into being to look at the implementation of this election promise. It did not initially have representatives of all communities and sections.
Heads of denominations through the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka voiced their concern. The NCC had previously made representations to a panel headed by Mr. Romesh de Silva on Constitutional reform and discussed the need for justice within a constitutional framework that safeguarded the rights of all communities.
Part of our theme for this Council is Reconciliation and Unity. Therefore, building trust among communities is paramount. The setting up of this Task Force has generated fear and mistrust and it must cease to function in its present form.
Ecumenism
Our work with people of living faiths and no faith has brought us together on national, social, and ethical issues. The Interfaith Desk organized a time of prayer among faith leaders to pray for the healthcare workers.
We need to journey together to find national unity as we draw from the different religions the tenets that teach us the truths about our neighbor’s faith.
Our journey with churches and organizations that belong to the National Christian Council has provided us the opportunity to pray work towards witnessing together.
With several organizations and churches seeking membership in the NCCSL, we need to redefine our motives and purpose.
Anniversaries
Three clergypersons, the Ven. David Nigel Perry Brohier, Revd.Weerahennedige Jayantha Shimal Asiri Jayasuriya and Revd. Jameson Nadarajah Gnanaponrajah, celebrated the 25th anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood this year.
My congratulations, blessings and prayers to all of them on this significant milestone in their lives, of service to God, His people and the Church.
As they look forward to continuing their ministry in the years ahead, I thank God for their families as well, for the patience, understanding and support given to them throughout this long period.
Into Fuller Life
Revd. Joseph Selvaratnam Charles
Rev. Joseph Selvaratnam Charles was born into a family of seven in 1942. He obeyed the call to the ordained ministry in 1972 and dedicated himself to his duties as a faithful priest, serving in many parishes during his ministry until his retirement at the age of 70. He married Monica in 1975 and they were blessed with 2 children.
We thank God for his faithfulness to his servant, whom he called to rest on 12th April 2021.
May God grant Monica and their children, Daphne & Bertrum the comfort and strength they need to come to terms with the loss of Fr. Charles.
Revd. Samuel Chandrasekeran Crispus
Father Chandran Crispus was a man of God who responded to God’s calling with a deep sense of vocation. He was ordained to the Priesthood in 1999. His cheerful, friendly and welcoming nature endeared him to all who came in contact with him. He was a tireless worker with a caring heart who played a very significant role in the work of the Church in the Batticaloa District during the tsunami and the long years of war.
After his transfer to Colombo, he served with great acceptance as the Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers.
He was married to Violet and was father to two children, Divya and Sathyan.
Rev. Chandran was called to rest on 8th May 2021, after a sudden and brief illness.
We uphold his family in our prayers, as they grieve his absence in their lives.
Mr. Suren Goonesekera
Suren Goonesekera hailing from Moratuwa was a vibrant and well-known personality in the Diocese. He was a member of the Standing Committee for many years, served in several Committees and Boards of the Diocese, especially the Diocesan Missionary Council and was the long serving and indefatigable Secretary of the Board of Social Responsibility. Suren had a warm heart and deep concern for the underprivileged and this was seen in his tireless work during disaster situations.
Suren was married to Charmaine and they were active members of St. Stephen’s Church, Negombo where he held many responsibilities
He was called to his eternal rest on 14th August 2021, leaving behind his beloved wife Charmaine and children Erajni and Shehani.
We uphold his wife, children and grandchildren in our prayers, as they attempt to come to terms with his sudden death.
Bernard Fernando
Bernard faithfully served the Diocese of Colombo as the Chief Clerk for 38 years and retired in 1990. We remember with gratitude, his long and devoted association with us.
After his retirement, he worked in the parish of St. Francis of Assisi Mount Lavinia for several years, giving of his knowledge and many years of experience.
He was called to his eternal rest in 2021.
My heartfelt condolences and those of the Diocese to his daughter and the family.
Anthony Perera
We fondly remember Anthony, who served as the Sexton of the Cathedral which he joined in 1973 right at the inception and continued his unbroken service for 44 years until his retirement in 2017.
He was a devoted worker who could always be found at the Cathedral and whose unobtrusive, dignified presence enhanced any event.
Anthony was called to his eternal rest on 27th April 2021. He will remain in the memory of those who knew him as the ‘guardian angel’ of the Cathedral.
We continue to uphold his wife and children in our prayers and commit them all God’s care.
Conclusion
The year ahead will see us taking steps towards setting up multiple dioceses. The Steering Committee has set out a road map to make this possible.
Every man, woman, and youth will have an opportunity to make their representations. Our first step is to create awareness. Secondly, to create space for people to share in the process towards setting up of these dioceses.
Thanks be to God for a year of guidance and sustaining grace that has seen us through the worst of the pandemic.
To the Registrar Mr. Harshana Perera and the Standing Legal Advisor Mr. Rohan Edrisinha for the valuable counsel and guidance at all times.
Ms. Nadhie Wanduragala for her patience and dealing with all situations and people, and leaving me to talk to none. Ms. Jeevanam Watson for being Aladin with the lamp. Ms. Kaushika de Silva for convincing the parishes and clergy to change dates and times to suit the needs of all.
Ms. Rebecca Yeman is the head, heart, and soul behind the Green Book. Mr. Arun Gamalatge reminds me that no task is complete and that the day never ends.
The Archdeacons and Area Deans for coordinating the regions and keeping the wheels of mission turning.
Mr. Chaminda Soysa and Mr. Rohitha Kumara for being the guardian angels who travel with me within the diocese.
Lakshmi and Timothy who make sure that I have more tea in my veins than blood.
All diocesan office staff and the Cathedral staff who adds sense to the work that is nearly impossible.
Shehara for her patience and willingness to put up with my absence.
*136th Diocesan Council: Address of the Bishop of Colombo, The Right Reverend Dushantha Rodrigo – 26th November 2021
Sinhala_Man / November 26, 2021
Wow! Bishop Dushantha Rodrigo,
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What a long article, I thought, when I first saw this and scrolled down.
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Now I see that this is your Diocesan Council Address, and contains some material which will be of limited interest to the wider public.
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However, that you have chosen to release it on a forum which is open to any member of the public who accesses the Internet is welcome. I’m also glad that Colombo Telegraph has chosen to publish the full text, which I have yet to study.
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In a sense, it was with this article that the certainty of your appointment was made known to the country:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/my-role-as-archbishop-of-canterbury-appointing-bishop-of-colombo/
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This is a spontaneous, and in a sense, impulsive response from a man who reposes great faith in you. I guess that what I subsequently say must be more carefully thought out, since many issues are complex.
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I’m still a bit of an agnostic, but if God exists, may he guide us, and ensure that truth triumphs!
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Svenson / November 27, 2021
Sinhala_Man, you are in good company https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/18/archbishop-canterbury-doubt-god-existence-welby
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leelagemalli / November 28, 2021
Yes indeed a lengthy article.
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But I have serveral questions. If Church did their role properly in SL, at least those adherents could well send a message that things should not work on deteriorating the society – as seen in srilanka today. People in general, regardless of their beliefs are made to become easy prey of predatory polticians, irrespective of the facts – that today s srilanken leadership were known to any corners that they were high criminals enough to be imprisoned in Guanthanmbe or like prisons ( real high criminals are known to be jailed in that prisons), ironically people were caught by the easy tricks being played on them… indicating that majority of people (many christianity believers) ultra fools.
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What decisions in general do Parish Councils make?
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Probably the most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), crime prevention, managing open spaces and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities .
It is high time, people in srilanka to raise the question, that the SRIlanken parish councils have fullfilled their duties in recent past ?
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leelagemalli / November 30, 2021
Gone were the days religious beliefs helped many of us the human beings to behave civilized and dignified life styles. However, looking back, today’s china, the largest human population of this planet would not seem have any respect respect on religious beliefs- but rigorous law and order. YOu may question average chinese and what their religious beliefs are,.. most of them would at once respond with – ” we dont have any religious beliefs” – they are agnostic – we are only lovers of materialistic way of life. It is the human nature and it is common to many regardless of their geographical locations are.
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Anyways, looking at the manner how hard Mr Sinhala Man fights against injustice and corruption – I feel, this country would have become a real PARADISE, if more of SINHALA MAN or the kind of srilankens were produced by LANKA MATHA (mother lanka): He risks his health for CT comments not sleeping enough, but making every effort being against racism, injustice and corruption.
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nimal fernando / November 30, 2021
Sinhala_Man,
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It seems you are involved in the administration of STC. Do you know a guy called Kavinda Dias Abeysinghe? I think he is a board member. If you know him say Hi to the bugger. :))
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I don’t believe (unlike Prof Kumar) that you got a great education …….. other than to learn to mimic/ape the White-man better than the rest of the schools :)) ……. And let me write some other time, what the White-man thinks of people who mimic them :))
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As for morals/ethics …… sorta, yes …….. I had a close relative who went to STC, Mount ……. and did cadetting etc …… and joined the army because that’s the only career path available to him due to his monumental academic achievements :))
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Later became the army commander and was an officer and a gentleman and showed exemplary behaviour ……… even the Tamils who usually accuse anything that moved in the army of war-crimes couldn’t accuse him of any ……
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That, all ye old-boys and the school can be justly proud of …………
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Simon / November 27, 2021
Sinhala_Man: You evoked great interest in me when you said: “If God exists…”. You must have heard of an Indian Mystic by the name Osho. One of his followers asked: “Can you convince me about the existence of God? Look at the reply Osho gave: “Why are you worried about God. What wrong has done to you? Why can’t you forget him and forget him? Why remain so concerned about him? Be concerned more with life, with existence and you will know God. In its right moment, life itself becomes luminous, existence itself becomes divine. It all depends on your inner clarity. If we can see clearly, ONLY GOD is. No proof is needed. If you can see clearly, then no proof is going to be of any help”
He further says: “God is not a “THING” but an “EXPERIENCE” And God is the culmination of all the great values, the essential core of beauty, love, truth, bliss. God is the essential core of all these values, these values cannot be proved. How can you prove their essence? He is just a perfume – not even the flower, but just the fragrance”
I will come back after reading this lengthy article. In Meththa!
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Paul / November 30, 2021
Simon, God exists, God doesn’t exist, God is an Experience etc are all just opinions from faulty minds. Consider…..all the discoveries of science have come from one instrument, the human brain. Yet we don’t really know how the brain works. Scientists are trying to find out, and to do this they use…..the brain! Everything is therefore subject to doubt and cannot be taken at face value (or even brain value).
The Buddhist approach to this problem is to first carefully notice the nature of our thinking. Then to calm the mind until thinking stops. Then to be astonished at the new perspective on the world. The bliss that accompanies this is so great that some people think they have found God, but actually it is just the peace of the silent mind that has stopped its incessant chattering.
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Rajan Hoole / November 27, 2021
Bishop Dushantha unfortunately begins his article on an unrealistic note of building more dioceses in the face of a sharply falling Anglican population – more bishops and fewer people? That does not augur well. The Church is best known in the country for its schools, and it is by the quality of these schools and their contribution to a scholarly environment that the Church would be judged. I am surprised that the only comment here is by Panini Edirisinghe, a first rate scholar and a teacher with a rich experience, apart from the University, in rural areas, and who feels for the plight of rural folk. St. Thomas’ should be proud of him. I have also followed with dismay how his attempts for more than a dozen years to instil a greater sense of quality and ethics into the running of this family of schools has fared, accompanied by his constant rejection. Bishop Dushantha would have made a worthwhile contribution if, during his tenure, we can say that there is less lying, less deceit and greater openness in the running of the Church and its schools.
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old codger / November 27, 2021
RH,
“there is less lying, less deceit and greater openness in the running of the Church and its schools.”
Yes, and may I venture to add, not only Anglican schools . Practically all religious institutions wouldn’t be recognizable to their founders nowadays.
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Ratnam Nadarajah / November 28, 2021
Good Morning Dr. Rajan Hoole
We haven’t neither met or spoken with each other but through our mutual and not mutant !. friend
I happened to learn about you and of your pursuit for justice. and worthy causes affecting communities far and wide.
That said let me get back to Rev.D . Rodrgo’s piece of writing.
No-one could have put it more sasungtly than you; point number one on this article and secondly about Panini alias Sinhala Man.
More about this lecture delivered by the Reverend later today
Ratnam Nadarajah
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eeakdavi / November 28, 2021
I ENDORSE PROF HOOLE’S REMARKS ABOUT PANNINI EDIRISINGHE
I AGREE THAT ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE ANGLICAN ESTABLISHMENT IS THE QUALITY OF ITS SCHOOLS . A SOMEWHAT BIASED APPRECIATION I ADMIT SINCE I WAS EDUCATED IN ONE.
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Sinhala_Man / November 30, 2021
Dear Dr Rajan Hoole (Professor Kumar David: I WAS HIGHLY BUCKED by your comment below, but I must correct you here; Rajan never attained the rank of Professor),
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I am immensely proud of you, Rajan. You weremy classmate, brilliant at Maths, but that is not why I honour you. This 13-minute video tells it all:
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https://vimeo.com/37432332
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But there is another reason why I have put that on. I realise the extent of the woolliness of most people’s thinking, caused by the alarming rise of digital monopolies. That video has been later made available on Youtube; content identical.
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Education, and Colombo Telegraph, are threatened by Google becoming God. Google is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. Google owns Youtube. There is a danger that this new god will decide our future. I hope that many will be puzzled by this comment, and ask me to explain.
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As a teacher, I would relish the opportunity to do so!
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 48 3111 444V) aka, “Sinhala_Man”
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nimal fernando / November 27, 2021
Bishop Dushantha Rodrigo,
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The question that needs to be asked is ………. how many people would take up a religion if it was introduced to them as mature adults capable of making informed choices/decisions?
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Why do religions have to be introduced to children at a very young age ……… and put the fear of God into them: a God no one yet seen?
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Religions are nothing but tools for some people to avoid a honest day’s work.
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Christ was a great guy …… it was so hard to be Christ there was only one in the entire human history …….
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Present-day Christianity has nothing to do with Christ ……. just leave the guy alone
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That’s the greatest respect anyone can pay him …………..
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Jaffna Man / November 27, 2021
I tend to sympathise with my brother’s comments. I just returned from Kilinochchi acting as my wife’s escort as she attended the zoom-linked gathering distributed according to archdeaconry, etc
The challenge to the Bishop is clear from his first council that ended today with reasonable success.
His challenges are: People vying for the multiplying offices in a shrinking church. People staking claims to importance and offices based on their campaigning for the Bishop during his election. Senior officials suppressing the young in discussions over resolutions. And yes, those of little faith rising fast in the Church while those of faith are not called to serve.
A good example is those with no language competence being put in charge of prayer books. Resolutions today were often impossible to understand and the Tamil and English versions did not match. I suppose the same with Sinhalese. The Councillors did not even seem to notice that there was a problem!
If the Bishop would use merit (including character) as the sole criterion in his decision-making, he would win the game of governance hands down.
God bless him!
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Jaffna Man / November 28, 2021
As a post script I need to mention The Rev. Fr. (soon The Ven. Fr. as Jaffna’s new Archdeacon) Panneerchelvan who is allowed last minute resolutions (yes in the plural) whereas normal people are not waived the customary 60 day notice.
His style of writing is to weave in NGO-ese in a way his garbled writing makes no sense but sounds important
He had a garbled resolution calling our Anglican services CULTIC. That word was not in the Tamil translation that most in Jaffna looked at. It PASSED! The Bishop apparently tried to change the word but seemed unable to be forceful. Did we pass the Tamil or the English? No one knows. We Anglicans are now officially a CULT.
Another example of how the Church works is in the resolution by Fr. Bilimoria, the Warden of St. Thomas’ . He called for engaging with other religions to see God in them. A person said that DEVIL WORSHIP is now officially a religion. Should we try to see God in that by participating?
A Thomian priest defended his Warden saying the word used is dialog not engage. That was untrue. Bilimoria’s word was ENGAGE. Bilimoria gave the assurance that he would not syncretise and on that assurance my wife says she voted for his resolution.
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Jaffna Man / November 28, 2021
Sorry. The new archdeacon-to-be for Jaffna is Parimalachelvan, not Panneerchelvan.
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Dusty / November 28, 2021
A good example is those with no language competence being put in charge of prayer books.”
If that were the only problem!
The person the Bishops put in charge of the Tamil Prayer Book the last 13 years is Rev. Joshua Ratnam. Ratnam is good in writing popular literary jingoistic Tamil but has no analysis. Just ornate language. This is the danger with many of the priests. Is Pilimatalawa addressing critical thinking of its priests? Why are we being forced to celebrate Thai pongal and Saraswati (Daughter and wife of Brahma) and Deepavali which do not tally with the faith in anyway? Archdeacon Ponniah, Archdeacon -to- be Parimalaselvan are leading us into such activities for “They know not what they do”. They obviously have no experience of Christ.
Joshua Ratnam does not believe that the Bible contains the truth complete and sufficient for us to become sons and daughters of God. Those who have experienced God in Christ have done so solely through the gospel. Then how is it NOT complete and sufficient? Joshua Ratnam says it is arrogant to say we have the Truth. What an agnostic writing the Prayer Book. Why did he leave the Anglican Church, go to Canada into another denomination and get chased off by them? Then the Bishops take him back and foist him knowingly upon the poor faithful.
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davidthegood / November 27, 2021
What Rajan Hoole considers as negative of an unrealistic build up of dioceses by Bishop Dushantha, this was exactly the message Jesus sent through to making disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching to observe commands at the end of the gospel of Matthew. There was a need to build up from zero the new creation in Christ as the only way. The contribution is not the less lying and deceit written about, but the intimate experience of the Father’s love, his compassion to heal, his mercy and forgiving grace which is more than sufficient for every human need, to save, heal and deliver. Our congratulations to Bishop Dushantha as he prepares for the Lambeth conference next year which could put Sri Lanka as a sheep nation on the right hand side of Jesus.
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Rajan Hoole / November 28, 2021
I am afraid David… misrepresents the advent of Christianity. Christ’s call to preach the Gospel cannot be isolated from ethics and dedication, the kind of which we saw in the career of St. Paul: “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren (2 Cor. 11:26).”
The first Church in Jerusalem was born at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Spirit, which was succeeded by the Church at Antioch, formed by émigré’s from persecution in Jerusalem and Gentile converts. On the latter Paul expended his dedication until death took him away. One person I knew, who followed this lead was Miss. Muriel Hutchins at Killinochchi. I have since seen a growing vacuum. Ethics and dedication cannot be taken out of this. One only needs to look closely at the fate of the CSI. Its leading lights have emigrated to Australia and Canada, and those left behind are holding on to real estate subject to battles of attrition. The CSI sends people to Vellore for the best medical training in South Asia, but its once renowned mission hospitals are dying in the face of booming private medical institutions.
This is an object lesson for the Anglican Church, which it may never heed.
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Contretemps / November 28, 2021
Sir,
I think you are mixing up more disciples with more dioceses and Bishops.
Instead of more love, we have more cut-throatism as priests vie to be Bishops and to run around in 10 million rupee motor cars that archdeacons were given by Bishop Dhilo. (Dushantha has stopped it. Good for him)
That gravy train is far from the intimate experience of the Father’s love. Retired bishops have been given fancy motor cars and palatial quarters. Priests in Colombo who speak English and are close to the bishops get retirement quarters but not rural priests who do not speak English. They need to find their own houses when they retire and move out of vicarages.
Priests have been promised the salary of a Director of Education. Nearly Rs. 80,000 a month. Poor parishes with hardly Rs. 300 a week in collection are denied representation in the Diocesan Council till they pay their quota.
This does not resemble God’s Kingdom.
An Anglican WHO HAS HAD IT.
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Simon / November 27, 2021
Dear SM: I read through the article. Nothing special. Pardon me saying – It is yet another “Annual Report” from a “Prison” Administration. The Humans in their “Quest” to “FIND” and “PROVE” – “The God” have found “A God” and “Imprisoned” – “The God” in an “Institution” called “RELIGION”. They did not stop at that but ventured further to “Segregrade” – “The God” into various “Prisons” called “Christianity”, “Mohamedans”, “Hinduism” etc…etc… No stopping but further took steps to name “Prison Cells” and named those – “Catholics”, “Anglicans”, “Church of England”,”Orthodox”, etc. “Shites” “Sunnies” etc. and “Brahmans” etc… In this stampede to find “A God”, there remained some who said “Why a God” while some others said, “There is no need for God”. That is what has happened to “THE GOD”. In short, “The God” has been “Institutionalized”
However, there remained who ventured beyond the boundaries and “Meditated” to “Become” “God” and in that process found “GODLINESS” in their own “Being”. and that was another beginning of a “Discovery”. That discovery “Within” one’s “Being” led to “SPREAD” to the whole existence and became full of “GOD” overflooded to see “GODLINESS” in others. One example was “Gauthama Buddha” That is how I see “The God” from “WITHIN” and not in “INSTITUTIONS”/”PRISONS”.
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leelagemalli / November 30, 2021
Dear Simon,
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I believe it is our BUDDHAGAMA destroyed this nation, not anything else. The place given to HAMUDURUWOs …. was abused by crook politicians for their political survival. Rajapkshes are said to be wearing ” pirith noole ” also around their penises….. in order to twist and manipulate the vulnerable in this country.
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Please talk to your KADAMANDIYA community, not GOD but “Rajapakshe” is institutionalized. That became the CURSE to this nation.
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Greeks believed in various gods. But those were the days, greek mythology guided them to go after any kind of myths. Today, they are far away from those myths however south asian region is far from leaving ” myths controlled life styles”: You can find it by talking to a srilanken MBBS holder – … how many among them joined the ques to pick up ” DHAMMIKA paniya”: I dont live in that island for the last few decades, however my own info prove that over dozens of MBBS holders went after PANI BEEMA produced by Kalli amma controlled Dhammika.
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Ratnam Nadarajah / November 28, 2021
Dear Reverend D Rodrigo
As providence and not prudence I had penned a few lines to TBI yesterday I think
Here it is:
https://community.thebetterindia.com/c/sustainability/nature-is-the-best-healer
It’s very late here Saturday night 11.15pm
God and Religion are a very potent drug. History repeats itself may be not in detail but it certainly prevail in the anals of human history., due to this.
I must say this is indeed a very long piece article.if not the longest publication in CT. I stand to be corrected
To pay due justice ,as my good friend Panini SM has stated above ; one need to read the full text before committing pen to paper
This perhaps is my first installment
Until then God bless and
Stay safe in these trying times with Covid 19, climate change, and other issues like fertiliser, new constitution, ONE COUNTRY, ONE LAW ETC, ETC
Ratnam Nadarajah
Part 2 follow
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Sinhala_Man / November 28, 2021
At 11.21 am yesterday, Saturday, the 27th, I had a mobile phone chat lasting 6 minutes 22 seconds with Hiran Molligoda, who was properly elected elected to the Board of Governors of the four STC schools on the 4th of March 2020, and assumed office on the 1st of April, 2020, to serve for four years, by the representatives of the OBAs of the three “Branch Schools”.
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http://www.stcg62group.org/PDF/College/05_Rules_of_STC_Board_of_Governors.pdf
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His election was in terms of Rule 1.4. The cheating was in electing, supposedly by representatives of the staffs, in respect of Rules 1.5.2 & 1.5.3. Despite the seeming objectivity and legal jargon, there are serious flaws in the wording of those Rules, and I have been pointing them out to the Secretary of the Board of Governors (who presides at the said Elections) from 2008 to 2020. The Secretary during that entire period has been Mr Rajan Asirwatham, and he’s been good. Since April 2020, it has been somebody else; it’ll be somewhere on the Internet.
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V) aka Sinhala_Man
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Sinhala_Man / November 28, 2021
Already, at 5.24 am on Sunday, there are six comments by persons other than me, and in the case of four (Svenson, Simon, nimal fernando, and davidthegood) they are regular “pseudonymous” CT commenters. I know and respect the values that each stands for, but I’m giving these specific details because they may not know the context in which these observations are made.
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To the best of my knowledge, this “virtual” (word with a meaning less than five years old) Diocesan Council Meeting was held on Friday and Saturday, and the key person, Bishop Dushantha must be exhausted. However, I will ring his mobile number after the sun rises.
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I believe that Mr Hiran Molligoda has a Buddhist background and has for long been a Member of the OBAs of Kollupitiya and Mt Lavinia. However, please note that it is stipulated that the Staff Representative must be a Member of the Church of Ceylon.
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This is an honest explanation, but for exact wording, please check the actual Rules. If I’m ruled out because I’m not a “proper Christian” I will have to accept that, but nimal, your comment is spot on whilst being witty.
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Sinhala_Man / November 28, 2021
An immediate update: the current Secretary of the Board of Governors is Mr Hiran Molligoda himself:
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https://www.stcb.edu.lk/about-us/board-of-governors
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The rest is tedious reading, I know, best for most readers to skip! But see the 17 minute video.
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At 9.36 am on Friday, 26 Nov 2021 I sent an email addressed to the Bishop, and copied to Messrs Molligoda and Rohan Edrisinha. The latter is a relative of mine, and I have spelt his name exactly as he writes it. I have met him, but I don’t know him well. He is highly respected as a Law Academic, Constitution Authority:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEiXtQv5WKg
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He was Head Prefect of the Mt Lavinia school in 1979. He has been on the Board for some spells; this time he has been specifically asked to look into problems that have accumulated over the years, including
He has emailed me, for instance on 15 Jul 2021, saying “I will do my best.”
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However, I have no telephone number for him.
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On Friday & Saturday, I sent Hiran and the Bishop three sms messages, focussing on Hiran.
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Sinhala_Man / November 28, 2021
What I learnt from Hiran:
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PART ONE
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When Hiran spoke to me, he was relaxed, and had clearly given thought to what to tell me since he would have also seen a missed call a few minutes before.
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It was a pleasant and constructive chat.
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Hiran told me that the complaints that I had made had been discussed by the Board and the points were noted. I told him that I wanted an election held cleanly, according to the Rules, in 2024. He said that when the election comes round, there would be a suitable procedure in place.
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Sinhala_Man / November 28, 2021
PART TWO
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I told Hiran that it would be more difficult than that since all staff confidence in the system has been eroded by years of cheating. Re-building such confidence would take a long time of consistency since staff (it’s teachers and “administrative staff”, that’s why my odd wording) would need to have confidence in fair-play to nominate candidates. Furthermore, since the Board Secretary (I didn’t then know that it was Hiran himself) wouldn’t know all the staff, the Headmasters would have to certify that they were qualified to nominate. The identity of the candidate would present fewer problems.
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In my case, I was well known. Hiran knew that I had been seriously interviewed to be the Warden in 1990, and that apart from that detail of “faith” there had been no problem with me. However, I also managed to get it well understood that there was not going to be a problem with somebody else being elected. Enabling that was the real challenge. Restoring openness and credibility to the system was what was important.
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With all this being well understood, I was very happy with that brief chat.
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Jaffna Man / November 28, 2021
Asset or Encumbrance?
According to this year’s finance report the assets of the church amount to Rs. 2,700,419,707.00
Those faithful who come and receive on a Sunday number 20,000.
More than assets these are an encumbrance because it gets the wrong people to become priests after failing or scraping through their OLs. They see power and money in the church.
The challenge before the bishop is to include the faithful in the management of the church; not boot licking self-servers. As more and more bad people rise in the church, the good people will shy away, making this a vicious cycle.
Bishop: Are you up to breaking this vicious cycle? May God be with you.
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CGDavid / November 28, 2021
Dr. Hoole: Anglicans have no employment standards.
Regarding Fr. Joshua Ratnam:
Failed his OL at Trinity.
Came to St. John’s for Special 5 (for those who failed).
He sat the OL.
Vanished the day his fail results came. Said drama is his career path.
He has been doing drama since.
He has denied studying at St. John’s to Johnian OBA-South.
Too many secrets.
Joined as Anglican priest.
Rose.
Was Peradeniya Chaplain.
Soon Chapel had only 2 students.
He was moved out.
To save the chapel.
Went to Lockgate church.
Parish locked him out.
Fr. Isaak Selvaratnam took him to Scarborough. Assistant.
Congregationalist. No Bishop.
He walked out of the church with English speakers.
Church broke up.
Selvaratnam went back to Anglican
Ratnam formed own church.
He was seen at Toronto cinema with a church woman.
His Urumpirai classmate swears he hugged a parish woman on home visit
Refused to let go. Her mother forced Ratnam to release her.
He was chased off from Canada.
He returned. Bishop gave him a job. Jesus forgives.
OL Failure writes Church prayer book.
Ratnam thrills people with Tamil cinema lines, but cannot write proper Tamil.
Bishop: Merit-competency first. Satisfy favourites later
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Sinhala_Man / November 30, 2021
I have already reported a pregnant telephone conversation that I had with Hiran Molligoda on Saturday, the 27th.
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Now I must carefully detail for you a 19 minute 55 second phone call on Monday the the 29th. It was to the Office landline of his Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo.
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Forget that portentous description: the man is simple, honest and gentle. There were three key points to this conversation.
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1. The Bishop astounded me by saying that he had not read this article, and that he was going to launch an inquiry into how this was leaked on to this website.
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2. He knew the details of my past engagements with the four S. Thomas’ schools.
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3. He remembered the most salient details of the2020 Branch School Representatives Elections. We did not refer to the run up to the 2016 Elections, which came soon after Dushantha took over the Kollupitiya School.
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4. I was able to convey to the Bishop the colossal task that faces us in the run-up to the 2024 Elections.
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Each point will have to be examined in detail. It’s 6.10 am and time I got some sleep!
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Svenson / November 29, 2021
Can anybody tell me why Christians and Muslims still use derogatory names for people of other religions? I am referring to terms like ‘Heathen’ and ‘Infidel’. Hindus and Buddhists do not do this. Do you think Jesus would approve? Surely Hindus cannot be more Christlike? Or can they?
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