The Priest who left his life fulfilling his mission perfectly – Melani Manel Perera

“Even though you have left us, your words, your fragrance, carry our lives forward. To make our lives pleasant lives, to make this society a more fair and just society, to build a world where everyone can live in peace, strengthen us by praying for us before the Lord.” Said Father Rohan De Silva in the funeral mass of the late Father Oswald B. Firth OMI.

Father Dr. Oswald B. Firth OMI a well-known Priest was called to Eternal Rest in the Lord on 19th June 2023. And the funeral mass was held on 21 June 2023 at St. Joseph’s Church, Uyana, Moratuwa and his mortal remains were buried at St. Joseph’s Church Cemetery in Uyana, Moratuwa. The Father Rohan De Silva the Director of Centre celebrated the funeral mass for Society and Religion (CSR) together with other priests.

The mortal remains of Father Oswald Firth OMI were brought to the CSR on the 19^th evening and from there it was brought to SEDEC – Caritas Sri Lanka Institute Chapel on the 20^th of June morning and from there the body brought to the St. Joseph’s Church, Uyana, Moratuwa.

Father Rohan Silva delivering the sermon at the funeral Mass said that , Father Firth came to this world and fulfilled the unique mission to be fulfilled. He fulfilled his mission to preach the gospel to the poor, deliver the captives and give sight to the blind, to free the oppressed.

Commenting on the texts mentioned in a policy statement published by Father Oswald Firth to move towards a good, just and peaceful world, the Father endeavored to live the unique text of the founder of our denomination, Eugene Mazonad, who says to preach the gospel to the poor as the motto of the denomination, Father Rohan Silva said.

God chooses people from among the people to carry on this work. We all know that Father Oswald Firth, one of our beloved teachers who stands still before us today, is a priest who has accepted his calling with great love and is dedicated to fulfilling his role.”

“In his 81 years of life, our father is walking again today to the God who gave him that calling after spending nearly 60 years as a priest.”

He always dreamed of a new face in priestly training. He showed interest in dealing with the concept of conceptual formation in a way that priest training and priest training can be brought to this earth. We can remember with great respect the environment in which a Director priest with such a vision trained us To commit deeply in priestly life and the training we received.” Said Father Rohan.

Father Rohan said, “He always reminded us to recognize the God in the lay people, connect with those God you recognize, and spend your dedicated life completely for people.”

“He became our friend during our monastic life. Became a father. Became a brother. Encouraged us. Thank you Father for everything. Encouraged us. Thank you Father for empowering with religious spirit.” said father Rohan.

Father Oswald B Firth, OMI, was a formator, academic, administrator, peacebuilder, and activist and had been the former director of Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC (1990-1995) during a period of major political and economic upheaval in the country with pressing social issues, particularly of development gap across regions and breeding inequality at the face of the civil war.

Father Firth’s emphasis was on the social doctrine of the Catholic Church and the integration of its conceptual and pragmatic strategies into the daily work and service of Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC. He started a major training program for 700 animators chosen from the Diocesan Centers on the social doctrine of the Catholic Church with the intention to facilitate effective social change using the pathways and insights provided by the doctrine.

Father Oswald B. Firth, was the founding member of National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) and National Peace Council (NPC).

“Father Firth had been the stalwart behind NAFSO and many other Organizations in Sri Lankan civil society. We can not forget how he was instrumental to protect Civil Activists not only North, but also in the South during the time of 87-89 Southern Insurrection. We pray for Fr. Firth to attain his Eternal Life.” said in the note by the NAFSO.

And the NPC too stated that the “National Peace Council mourns the demise of a founder member Father Oswald B Firth. We remember his service to the country and its people, especially those who are disadvantaged and excluded, with much love and appreciation.”

Oswald Bernard Firth was born in Nugegoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 13, 1942. He joined the Oblates in 1961, and was ordained in Rome on December 20, 1967.

He was an Oblate of many talents, receiving a doctorate from the University of Human Sciences of Strasbourg in 1973, directing a number of institutions in Sri Lanka, and was First Assistant General for the Mission of the Congregation in Rome from 2004 to 2010.

He ministered in Australia from 2011 to 2014, including lecturing in Philosophy at CTC and working in formation at St Mary’s Seminary. He returned to Sri Lanka for 5 years, then again ministered in Australia for 18 months from March 2019, mostly at Dernancourt parish.

Father Oswald B. Firth is a very distinctive person among those who gave leadership to civil society who demanded peace and wanted to end the unwanted war. He strengthened these people dedicating his life. He is one of those who is revered by clergy and members of all religious communities for being a Co-President of the inter-religious peace foundation. Being a witness to the beliefs of the Christianity he unhaltingly advocated that all religions as celestial medicine for development of humanity.

END.