2015-01-13 12:13:00

Pope Francis in Sri Lanka in the footsteps of St John Paul II


(Vatican Radio) During his Apostolic visit to Sri Lanka in January 1995 Saint John Paul II beatified Oratorian Father Joseph Vaz. Twenty years later, on Wednesday 14th of January Pope Francis is set to canonise this Indian born Apostle of Sri Lanka.

But stepping back in time to that beatification mass, it was an occasion during which John Paul II delivered a homily focusing on the ancient spiritual traditions of this predominantly Buddhist nation which he described as steeped in respect for the Sanyasi, the man of holiness, the man of God.

A programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:

He then quoted from a passage of the Second Vatican Council’s ‘Declaration on Non–Christian Religions’ which expresses the Church’s deep esteem for the ancient religions of Asia especially for Buddhism and Hinduism, saying: “The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in other religions for she sees in them a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. At the same time she exists to proclaim that the fullest answer to life’s questions is found in Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word of God”.

Placing these words into context, this visit which came at the end of the Polish Pontiff’s tour of other nations across Asia and Oceania was marked by his concern to respect the members of other religions. He expressed as much when he highlighted their ability to instill deep religious meaning into the lives of their followers, the men and women who look for answers to the profound and troubling mysteries which surround human existence.

Another concern at the time of this beatification was that of security in this nation with its record of tragic violence and civil war. John Paul II expressed it with these words: “It is my ardent hope that the beatification of Father Joseph Vaz will inspire Sri Lankans to work with even greater commitment for peace in this beloved country to bring about a definitive end to the tragic violence which has cost so many lives”.

Father Vaz, the priest from Goa reached Sri Lanka clandestinely in 1686 when he discovered discovering there had been no priests in the island for decades under harsh Dutch Calvinist domination. But as John Paul II highlighted he was received with joy:  “Your ancestors in the faith joyfully received Father Vaz at a time when the Catholic Church was banned and persecuted and all priests expelled”.  

Father Vaz John Paul II went on to say lived in absolute poverty as a beggar, driven by a burning desire to draw people to Christ. To do this he learnt the languages of the people, first Tamil and then when he was imprisoned in Kandy Sinhala. An effort said John Paul II to make the name of Jesus Christ resound in the languages and culture of the country.

May his example speak to your hearts he added finally and if someone has done you wrong do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good: “This is God’s will for you. This is God’s will for Sri Lanka! Forgiveness, reconciliation, peace: this is the challenge before you: all of you Sinhalese and Tamils – Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and all men of good will. This is the challenge before you all”. 

So on Wednesday 14th of January  in continuity with his predecessor to the See of Peter, it will be Pope Francis to canonise this Sri Lankan Apostle of the nation in the very same park where Saint John Paul II beatified him twenty years ago. A park facing that Indian Ocean Father Joseph Vaz first crossed back in the seventeenth century when he sailed in from Goa.   








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