Protect the lay character of Kithu-Dana-Pubuduwa

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Kithu-Dana-Pubuduwa, I too wish to pen a few lines, congratulating Fr. Oscar Abayaratne, the Founder of this charismatic Movement in Sri Lanka and its members for keeping alive the spirit of renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka.

 Fr.Oscar Abayaratne, with the blessings of the Cardinal Thomas Cooray, OMI, the Archbishop of Colombo, went to Rome in search of a new vision or mission in 1971. In Rome, Fr. Oscar, having met Fr. Valerian Gaudet, OMI, a French Canadian missionary in South America, who enlightened him regarding the nature of the charismatic

movements which were active in the Catholic Church, on his return to Sri Lanka, he animated a group for the renewal within the Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Oscar was also very much supported in his commitment by bishop Frank Marcus Fernando of the diocese of Chilaw, and bishop Edmund Fernando,OMI of the diocese of Badulla.

I had known Fr. Oscar Abayaratne when I was a seminarian at St. Aloysius Seminary in Borella. He was studying for priesthood at the Major Seminary which was located in the premises of the Aquinas College in Borella. He used to come to meet Fr, Edmund Fernando, OMI at St. Aloysius Seminary. He was Fr.Oscar’s spiritual director. Later, after my ordination to the priesthood, I came to know more about Fr. Oscar when he was the chaplain of a Youth Movement in Negombo, with its Centre at Goluwapohuna, in the outskirts of Negombo, when Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando was the Dean of the Priests ministering in the Negombo region. Again, when I was assisting Fr. Joe Fernando at the National Social and Economic Development Centre (SEDEC/Caritas), I came to know more about the charismatic movement. initiated by Fr. Oscar. This information was given to be by Marie Fernando, the Secretary at SEDEC. Her spiritual director was Fr. Oscar. I knew that Fr. Oscar was also a good friend of Fr. Joe and it was with Fr. Oscar’s recommendation that Marie Fernando became the secretary of Fr. Joe at SEDEC.

Having written these introductory notes, I can say that I too have personal experience of the quality of life of many members of the Kithu-dana- Pubuduwa. When I was the Parish Priest at Ambakandawila, Chilaw, I was assisted very much by a small group of Kitu-Dana-Pubuduwa members. Guided by Miss W. Enid Fernando, the members were very much dedicated, offering their selfless services for the renewal of the Catholics in the Parish. I too encouraged and assisted this charismatic group because the Second Vatican Council had already felt the need for renewal in the Catholic Church, affirming its members as a priestly People, a Prophetic People and a Faithful People. 

When I was the Parish Priest at Ambakandawila, Chilaw, I was assisted very much by a small group of Kitu-Dana-Pubuduwa members. Guided by Miss W. Enid Fernando, the members were very much dedicated, offering their selfless services for the renewal of the Catholics in the Parish

The Council felt that updating (Aggiornamento) and Community love (Koinonia) were very much needed in the Catholic Church which was very much institutionalized. 

I have met many lay faithful who are members of the Pubuduwa and I continue to admire their community spirit and their zeal for God’s glory. They manifest the spirit of sharing their time, knowledge and material resources. They are a prayerful community.  

Thanks to the initiative of Fr. Oscar Abayaratna, the Founder of the Kithu-dana- Pubuduwa, and   encouraged and supported by the late Cardinal Thomas Cooray, OMI and other bishops, this charismatic Movement has been instrumental in trying to form many Catholics, young and old, men and women, to be spiritually alive and active in many parishes in Sri Lanka. 

The movement needs to be protected by the Hierarchy for the glory of God and the continuous flourishing of spiritual life of its members. The movement’s lay character or identity needs to be protected as the lay people play a big role because they comprise more than 99 per cent of the Catholics.