Aid to the Church in Need: Sri Lanka: Lay formation in the diocese of Ratnapura

Sri Lanka: Lay formation in the diocese of Ratnapura

Posted by Project of the Week on 6/7/2009, 9:34 am
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SRI LANKA

Lay formation in the diocese of Ratnapura

Ratnapura means "town of precious stones". In particular rubies and sapphires are found here. It is even believed that King Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba a ruby that came from here. But this "town of precious stones" happens also to be the seat of the diocese of the same name. The Catholic Church faces major problems here, however. For one thing Catholics only account for around 1% of the population and live widely scattered. Additionally, certain ostensibly Christian sects have created a grave headache for Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, for they endeavour, sometimes by dubious means, to convert the local Buddhist population. Their prayer houses are springing up everywhere like mushrooms and their followers go into all the towns and villages, the schools and hospitals, creating the impression among the Buddhists – who do not distinguish between the Catholics and the sects – that Christians are opposed to them. This has done great damage to the image of the Catholic Church leading in isolated instances to attacks on Catholic churches and likewise to the growth of a Buddhist fundamentalism, with political campaigns against Christians generally and against the Catholic Church.

In such a situation it is important for the priests to have well formed laity alongside them, who can help to bring the genuine Good News of Jesus Christ to their sisters and brothers. In fact the diocese has for years had a good experience with them, but now the "first wave" of lay helpers is gradually dwindling in numbers – many having married or moved away from the region – and so now there is an urgent need to train more such lay helpers. Currently there are 40 young men and women who are willing to be trained to work alongside the priests in this way in the Vineyard of the Lord and to tackle the challenges facing all the Catholics in Ratnapura. The training of these 40 laypeople will last two years, and the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has promised support for their formation during this and the coming year, with a grant of over $50,000.

To help this cause please contact the Australian office of ACN on (02) 9679-1929. e-mail: info@aidtochurch.org or write to Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148. Web: www.aidtochurch.org

Photo: Catechists undergoing training
Code: 312-07-49

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Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148 ABN: 62 418 911 594
Ph/Fax (02) 9679-1929 e-mail: info@aidtochurch.org web: www.aidtochurch.org