Archdiocese of Colombo deplores Harin’s comments on Cardinal

The derogatory comments made by former Parliamentarian Harin Fernando against the Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith are “totally unfounded and uncalled for”, the Archdiocese of Colombo has said.

In a special announcement issued on Monday (22), the Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo together with the Catholic clergy of the Archdiocese of Colombo expressed their “grave concern” on the matter.

They said the former parliamentarian’s comments were made for cheap political gain.

Signed by Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva and Rt. Rev. Dr. J.D. Anthony Jayakody, Procurator General of Archbishop’s House Very Rev. Fr. Jude Samantha Kumara Fernando and several other Catholic priests, the statement has expressly condemned the misconstrued criticism of the Cardinal, “especially when Mr. Harin Fernando himself openly confessed that his father warned him of the impending disaster, prior to the incident and prevented him from going to church.”

The former Parliamentarian recently made some controversial comments which claimed that Sajith Premadasa was deprived of the Catholic votes during the Presidential Election 2019 because of the Cardinal.

The Archdiocese of Colombo says this statement is entirely a fabrication of Harin Fernando’s imagination.

“Lest one forget, it was His Eminence who gave leadership to a country wrecked in political turmoil and it was solely due to his efforts that clashes between the different communities were prevented in the aftermath of the tragic Easter Sunday bomb blasts.”

The Archdiocese of Colombo says the former parliamentarian’s comments have tarnished the good name of the Cardinal, “under whose shepherdly care were the most affected victims of the Easter Sunday attacks and who still boldly appears for the cause of the innocent victims of the tragic bomb blasts.”

Further, the announcement read that it is very appalling that Harin Fernando attacks the leadership of the Catholic Church in such a disparaging manner. The Catholic priests urged those concerned to take steps to correct this situation with immediate effect and restore the image of the esteemed high office of the Catholic hierarchy.

The Archdiocese of Colombo, as always will be impartial in its stance politically, as it is committed to all efforts of upholding the law of the country, unity amongst all religions and the freedom of every person in the nation, the announcement continued.