Sri Lanka Cardinal completes his 50th Priestly Anniversary
Colombo Archbishop, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who marked 50 years of religious life on the 30th of June, reflected on his spiritual journey, acknowledging the many fears and challenges he has faced over the decades. He also remembered all of those who helped him throughout this religious journey.
On Monday evening, the Thanksgiving anniversary mass was held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo. He presided over the mass together with all the Bishops of the Bishops’ Conference. All the Priests and clergy of the Archdiocese of Colombo, together with well-wishers, attended the thanksgiving mass.
“I encountered numerous fears and challenges throughout my religious life, but with the grace of Almighty God, I was able to overcome them,” Archbishop Cardinal Ranjith said during the homily.
He recalled significant moments in his priestly journey and spoke of his appointment at the coastal belt of Kapungoda Parish.
“I had to live in the sacristan’s room with very minimal facilities. I had to survive with one small water tank, with the water filled up by altar boys once a week.”
Also, the Archbishop recalled one of his other appointments as Bishop of Ratnapura in the 1990s.
“That was a difficult time. I was unsettled by the move, as I had to live in an unfamiliar region. I remember spending the first night alone at the Bishop’s House in Ratnapura, feeling isolated and uncertain.”
He went on to describe further trials he faced during his appointment in Rome.
“Moving to Rome presented another major challenge. I hardly knew anyone there, and at times I even considered resigning and returning to Sri Lanka. But divine providence carried me through.”
Another turning point came when he was named Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and East Timor.
“This, too, was a great challenge, but I embraced it with faith,” he said.
Cardinal Ranjith expressed heartfelt gratitude to the late Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, as well as to Pope Francis, for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout his ministry.
He also extended his thanks to both local and international bishops who supported him along the way.
He specifically mentioned the late Bishop Rayappu Joseph, the bishop of Mannar, saying that “he gave me a big support with the matters of the North in the past. He stood always for his people.”
