Despite the protracted social, political, and economic crisis, the people of Sri Lanka continue to face challenges with hope, says a Sri Lanka bishop.
The country faces multiple challenges. However, what keeps people going is strength from above, or God, who gives people courage, hope, and strength, says Bishop Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis of Kandy.
The Diocese of Kandy comprises the Central Province of Sri Lanka and is situated in a hilly country. The Diocese of Kandy is split into three vicariates, which are the same as the local government administrative areas and are called Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale.
A big part of the diocese is made up of tea plantations, which are what Sri Lanka is known for “The multi-layered problems the country’s people face are unsustainable; we look at the cross of Christ,” Bishop Mendis said.
According to the prelate, people are struggling to recover from a political and economic crisis that has pushed more people into poverty, misery, and deprivation.
Though Catholics, like others, have little material resources to meet their daily needs, they find solace in God and solidarity by expressing and sharing what they have, the bishop explained.
Catholics continue to take part in the sacramental lives of the church and attend Masses regularly, he said.
Priests, nuns, and missionaries are close to people and listen to their concerns about pastoral charity and service.
Sri Lanka is an island nation with 22 million people, most of whom are Buddhist and only about 7% of whom are Catholic.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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