Stop extravagant Christmas celebrations this year - Cardinal

17 October 2022 02:45 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

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Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today called on Catholics to celebrate Christmas on a low key this year and avoid spending lavishly on decorations.

Speaking during a religious service held to mark the 75th jubilee of St. Theresa’s Church, Batapattala, Negombo, Cardinal Ranjith said Christmas this year should be confined to feeding the hungry.

“One must not waste funds on decorating churches and other places this Christmas considering the situation of the country. There are many who live in hunger. Therefore the only thing that should be done during Christmas this year is to provide a meal to the poor,” he said.

He also said one cannot expect justice for Easter Sunday victims from the incumbent President and the government.

“The incumbent President does not have the consent of the people to hold the post he is holding now, since he came from the back door. Parliament select committee appointed to look into the Easter Sunday attacks, said there could be a political hand behind the attack. The incumbent President had pledged to bring in Scotland Yard to carry out an investigation. However, nothing has been done as yet. Besides, I am criticized for talking about politics. I am doing so in line with the statement made by the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka some years ago, and the recent statement made by Pope Francis that the Church cannot afford be silent where there is social injustice,” he added.(Yohan Perera)

Comments - 19

Cloy Monday, 17 October 2022 03:11 PM

If people can do so, it will be a great life saving for thousands of poor animals such as buffaloes, goats, roosters, fish and various creatures that are killing in the name of God to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

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TS Monday, 17 October 2022 03:12 PM

A president is appointed as per the constitution or as per the consent of the people? Where was he all these days without coming on TV/News? Is he a religious leader or a political leader?

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Peter Canisius Paiva Monday, 17 October 2022 03:16 PM

The Cardinal is right when he says that Christmas should be celebrated on a low key this year. Instead to feed the hungry and poor. This is all good. But to be critical about the incumbent President is not his business. The Cardinal’s business is to feed his lambs and tend to his flock. Not to dabble in politics!

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BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 17 October 2022 03:22 PM

All this talk by you is very sweet. But once upon a time, when the Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph was screaming for justice towards the crimes happening in the north, you were eating pittu with Rajapakse's and even arranging trips to Vatican for the Royal Family multiple times. Remember how the Sisters of Charity were arrested on false charges of Harboring Children and again you were quiet until the Vatican intervened. This time also you were quietly eating pittu with Royal Family.

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Mahila Tuesday, 18 October 2022 05:26 AM

He was hanging-on to the "Sari Potta" of the 1st Lady, to go on a venture to see Pope, with the then Head of State, so that the Pope would make him a Cardinal??? No match or Patch on Cardinal Cooray! He did - self-enhancement!!?? NOT FOR THE FLOCK?

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Marie Monday, 17 October 2022 03:23 PM

Thank You Your Eminencese, please also instruct the parishes to refrain from elaborate celebrations including street decorations for church feasts. Let the theme be simply “feed the hungry “

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Lion Monday, 17 October 2022 03:34 PM

You’re very true reverent , this fellow has no mandate from the people as came to this position through back door.

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Shelly Belly Monday, 17 October 2022 03:37 PM

Spoken like a true far leftist. Jesus said the poor you will ALWAYS have with you. Cardinal check your Bible if you still have one. It seems you have forgotten whom you serve, with all the political hoopla you have got involved in lately. The church I attend feeds the hungry and helps the poor ALL YEAR ROUND, because people are poor and hungry ALL year round, not only at Christmas time. So yeah Cardinal Malcom Ranjith, you have no right to deny anyone the pleasure of celebrating their Christian traditions. As for you, let's see you fill those empty churches by preaching the gospel and not talking nonsense to the media. To my fellow Christians you are celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ who has done more for you than these religious leaders so do not cancel Christmas. Stay blessed. Merry Christmas!

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firdhous Monday, 17 October 2022 04:40 PM

Muslims too has to join Christian in celebrating the birth of Jesus, as they believe in him. It is a day of revelation, a day of God’s miracle and a day when the innocence and divinity of mother Mary whom Muslims too believe in was proven.

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Mike Monday, 17 October 2022 04:41 PM

How about you let us worry about Christmas and you worry about getting the Easter Sunday Murderers to Justice. Have you forgotten you promised to take this to the international community to help bring about Justice. All fart no shit Cardinal.

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Dee Monday, 17 October 2022 05:01 PM

Absolutely no respect for you! The drama in 2019! We are all suffering now.

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“ The Lansi Burgher Gent “ Monday, 17 October 2022 08:24 PM

Please do a couple of things if you can: 1.) For a change, try and advocate feeding all innocent stray dogs, puppies and other starving animals during these trying times, for there are only a handful who would do so; most only concerned about the human kind only and most importantly; 2.) Please do stay out of politics as politics and religion are two different sides of the bat. No business for clergy of any faith for that matter, in politics. 3.) Enough with the pomp and pageantry and stick to your sermons only. Let the people decide on how, where, when what and if, they wish to celebrate. We have enough pundits in this country, telling us what to do and what, not to do.

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Kumar Monday, 17 October 2022 10:01 PM

On Christmas day liquor flows freely other than food in Negombo. In California liquor goes on sale during Christmas season. If your eminence can convince Sri Lankan Christians to avoid liquor at least on Jesus's birthday would be a great deed.

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What is it you want? Monday, 17 October 2022 10:17 PM

Well said Cardinal. There are lots of complaints that the President has no right to be the President or to run the nation. We respect your decision. Can you also tell us what is to be done now? Do we kick him out? Bring back Gota and Mahinda and the entire family? You are a man of wisdom! Just say the word, and we are ready to follow now! What is it you want?

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GHT Monday, 17 October 2022 10:21 PM

Sir, do you know that the Scotland Yard has been BRIBED backyard to dotch the Easter Sunday attack to save Ranil who designed the Easter Sunday attack under US instruction as a politically motivated case.

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S B Lokuge Tuesday, 18 October 2022 04:53 AM

Cardinal should set an example first before preaching what he, the pope and other Catholic hierarchy practice. The pope lives in a mansion, the Cardinal travels in a super luxury vehicle, dress in fancy clothes. The church does not follow what Christ practice. The Cardinal now insighting youth to follow the JVP path and protest.

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Scrooge Tuesday, 18 October 2022 06:38 AM

Ah now you are opening your mouth again! For a while we didn't have to listen to your rubbish. You don't need to tell people how to celebrate Christmas this year since people are unable to celebrate it anyway. Although you tell the people not to celebrate Christmas extravagantly, you and all your clergy have the finest food and everyone knows that.

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Bernard Jayatilake Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:40 AM

The incumbent President coming to power thro the back door after two failed attempts at elections is totally unacceptable as at the last parliamentary elections his party was decimated and thrown to the dustbin and he, as the keader lost his deposit, he now only protects the SLPP due to famiy affiliations.

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Pergutory Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:41 AM

At least this Christmas practice what Jesus Christ preached and practiced. Christianity is based on forgiveness. You have forgotten that Jesus forgave his torturers. That's why you are not allowing those poor families of the Easter Sunday victims to heal nor are you praying for them or for the souls of the victims. Instead you spread hatred and give "hate speech/sermons" at every instant possible, which are so very un-christian. Shame on you Cardinal. And both Buffalo Citizen and Mahila are absolutely right; Where were you when Bishop Rajappu was screaming for justice for his flock??? You are equally responsible for the state that the country is in today since you were such an ardent supporter of the rajapakse thieves, forgetting that you are a Cardinal a religious leader, not a politician. At least now think of your journey ahead cos you have indeed only a few more years. There won't be anyone to offer even a prayer for your dead soul.

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