Features

The Charmed Life of a Genius Priest

Published

2 years ago

2023/10/22

Thilina Walpola

Fr. Ignatius Perera

Ignatius of Colombo

By Avishka Mario Senewiratne
avishkamario@gmail.com

Talent, passion and humility are virtues hard to emulate and seldom found are those who are blessed with all three. Fr. Ignatius Perera of revered memory, was one such individual born on this palm-fringed island. Some remember him as the Radio Priest. Some recall his prowess in training choirs as well as his concerts. But those who were truly touched by his generosity were those without hope when they dropped out of school not knowing what to do next. He clothed and fed them as well as educated them, giving them the life they deserved. When he suddenly passed away in January 1981, The Catholic Messenger said the following:

“The fascinating personality of Fr. Ignatius should be the subject of serious study by those concerned with the training of pastors…Born into a family of musicians, and schooled in the classics, Fr. Ignatius became an engineer by option, because he had a knack for it, and saw the need for it.”

Whether the life of Fr. Ignatius was studied is doubtful, but his memory has not faded from the minds of those who were inspired by his life and work. Born on October 30, 1915, in the coastal township of Periyamulla, in Negombo, dubbed ‘Little Rome’, Alphonsus Narcissus Ignatius Perera was born to a family of musicians. His father was Louis Perera and his mother, Egistina Catherine Fernando. His elder brother, Francis would be a priest as well as a Choral Director. While receiving his early education at St. Mary’s College, Negombo, young Ignatius received the calling to be a priest. His brother’s influence may also have had something to do with his decision.

The superiors of young Ignatius, such as the seminary Rector, Fr. Edmund Pieris OMI, communicated his brilliant academic record as well as his prowess in music to Fr. Maurice Le Goc OMI, the Rector of St. Joseph’s College at that time. Fr. Le Goc was highly impressed and immediately recruited him to St. Joseph’s. Young Ignatius was known to invent all sorts of creative things in his early days. The scientist priest (now forgotten), Fr. Gregory Goonawardena, played a big role in Ignatius’ early days. Upon completing his school education, he received the opportunity to study in Rome for his priesthood. The subsequent years in Europe would be a roller-coaster ride for the young man as war intervened in his formation as a priest. However, the delay entering the priesthood was one of the best things that would happen for Fr. Ignatius.

The colourful days in Rome

The young seminarian was an outstanding student and well-read in the classics. He mastered several Western languages and spoke fluent Italian. Apart from his theological and philosophical studies, Ignatius read for an Honour’s Degree in Classics. Soon after, he got to experiment with two other skills he had not developed in Ceylon. It is unusual that a person could balance sacred music and radio.

Yet, this was the niche Ignatius Pera filled along with his passion for classics. It was through sheer hard work and self-study that he mastered electronics. He truly had a knack for it and doing repairs along with other work brought him great satisfaction in the then Fascist-ruled Italy. However, there were periods where he spent too much time on radios and less on classics flunking some of his exams! The young seminarian’s skills became well-known in the days to come.

On one occasion just 10 minutes before a transmission was to begin, the Vatican Radio broke down. During this time Giulio Marconi, son of Guglielmo Marconi, who was in charge of Vatican Radio rang young Ignatius to come and help. Within no time, the transmission was active and the radio worked as if new. It is also said that Ignatius was called multiple times by a priest called Fr. Giovanni Montini for repair work. This priest would later be Pope Paul VI.

Another interesting anecdote on Fr. Ignatius was when he was in charge of the BTH Super 35mm Arc projector in the auditorium of Propaganda College. He found an ingenious way of modifying the projector motor feed. Thanks to Ignatius, those at Propaganda had the good fortune of watching 35mm feature films, a facility which many others did not enjoy then. He was assisted in the projection room by a German priest and the future Rector of SJC and SPC, Fr. Mervyn Weerakkody.

While Ignatius was running the projector one day, he had to urgently run to the washroom. That day there were no assistants. Unexpectedly, a fire broke out in the projection cubicle, damaging both the films and the projector. However, Ignatius’ magical hands were able to rewind the burnt transformer and repair the projector.

One day the Vatican grounds were full of aero-buffs who had come to fly their model planes. Ignatius found a way of hacking the frequencies of these model aircraft and directed the planes as he wished taking control of the flying machines from their hapless controllers on the ground. There certainly was pandemonium in the Vatican on that eventful day!

After his formation ended, he amassed a lot of free time. This he utilized usefully by learning Sacred Music at the Academy of St. Cecelia. Again, through basic teaching and self-study, he also mastered this field. Ignatius surprised all by sitting for the Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of London. Here he succeeded with ease. In Rome, he received one of the rare privileges of conducting the Choir of the Sistine Chapel. With the fall of Benito Mussolini in 1943, Italy was liberated. However, World War II continued for two more years.

During these war-torn years, young Ignatius taught Classics to various groups. In the meantime, he ventured to do a Diploma from Faraday House (An electrical engineering College in the UK), to secure a recognized qualification in electronics. After a long period of gestation, Ignatius and his fellow seminarians were ordained in Rome on March 19, 1944. He was 27-years of age. A year later, Fr. Ignatius was called back to Ceylon and the Archbishop of Colombo, Msgr. Masson gave him his first appointment to serve his alma mater.

During this period, St. Joseph’s College had been taken over by the Royal Navy, and the staff and students were located in various parts of the Western Province. Fr. Ignatius was sent to the Borella branch of SJC. Here he had a guide in the person of Fr. Peter Pillai, the Rector. The two of them got along with another contemporary, Fr. Justin Perera. The College in Borella adjoining the Archbishop’s House was a temporary structure and was quite uncomfortable for the boys who had once been in Darley Road. Fr. Ignatius had a reputation that preceded him, for what he had achieved in Rome was beyond the ordinary. Thus, his future students expected a certain stature and strict personality in their teacher. What they saw was this simple priest, not taller than 5’4, riding a ladies bicycle to Borella, raising many eyebrows. One of his first students, Peter Perera now residing in UK, recalls his early memory of Fr. Ignatius as follows:

“He was an unassuming, simple down-to-earth character, affable, youthful, completely approachable almost like one of the students. There was none of the aloofness and authoritarian manner of the teachers we were accustomed to.”

Fr. Ignatius first started taking the Latin class, for this was his initial forte. His teaching was compelling and those who disliked the subject were attracted to it solely because of him. During the 45-minute period, only 15 minutes were spent on Latin declensions. The rest of the period was a discussion any other subject the students questioned him about and his extraordinary experiences in war-torn Europe. Despite this, his students were all successful in their exams for he knew the art of imparting knowledge and making students learn in their own way. Soon he was entrusted with the role of choir master of the almost defunct St. Cecilia’s Choir of SJC. Here is how the 1949 Blue and White magazine wrote about the coming of Fr. Ignatius to the choir:

“And then 1946 – our new birth, our new home with our new choirmaster. How am I to tell you of those first practices, those practices at which all sorts of strange fish turned up: fish that our little priest had to turn into singing fish? Many of those fish kept wondering what this man was doing to them. Was he trying to ruin them? Making them sing in parts – it may seem exaggerated but I’m sure there were boys – I among them – who did not catch on to the idea of singing while somebody near them seemed to prefer to sing his own composition. Having patiently got each group – Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses – to learn their parts, he found the whole lot lustily singing Soprano! Poor little priest! But in the midst of apparent failure, the messiah had to triumph. In about three months we found ourselves, to our own surprise, actually singing in parts! And that in four parts too!”

Fr. Ignatius’ skill and experience in Rome came into good hands to revive the Josephian Choir. His methodical training and meaningful set of practices warranted success. Soon, the standards had risen to such a level that the students were able to sing over the National Service of Radio Ceylon. The feedback from the general public was overwhelming. The revived Josephian Choir would now go on to take part in the music competition hosted by the Western Music Section of the Department of Education, and ultimately win it.

The judge at this event was D’Hales of Trinity College of Music in London. He hailed the choir for their splendid performance and said they sang just as well as choirs in England. ‘Handel’s Requiem’ conducted by Fr. Ignatius and performed by the Josephians is considered the greatest of the musical performances the College hosted at that time. The Josephian Orchestra was established in the year 1947, consisting of 16 members (seven violinists, a bass player and a pianist). It was conducted by Fr. Ignatius Perera.

With World War II’s end, most British forces stationed in Ceylon left for their own country. Their vehicles, weapons, radios and other war equipment were put up for sale as the forces had little use for them any more. Fr. Ignatius bought a rifle, an army jeep, and some radios. Whenever he had time, he would drive his jeep to distant jungles. He took great pleasure in hunting birds and wild boar. On one of his jungle trips, he rescued a mongoose in Pottuvil and adopted it as his pet. The mongoose named ‘Tikka’ would be with Fr. Ignatius as he worked in his radio lab and at times he took Latin in the classroom. The mongoose and the priest became a feature of the College at that time.

At the request of his students, Fr. Ignatius started the Radio Lab of St. Joseph’s College in 1947. The students were very curious about radios, their working and repairs. Soon the membership would reach about 30 or so. Fr. Ignatius taught them the theory of radio and soon made arrangements to let them repair radio sets and make amplifiers. Fr. Peter Pillai trusted this initiative. Soon the Radio Lab made their own amplifier and fixed it to the sound system of the Bonjean Hall. With unprecedented donations and sponsorship, Fr. Ignatius’ lab was well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology. No school or lab elsewhere was able to match its standard.

Fr. Ignatius Perera installed a private Intercom telephone system with 24 connections, linking various offices and buildings in St. Joseph’s College. The standards maintained at the Radio Club were extremely high, and the services it rendered outside school were stupendous. The Radio Club installed amplifiers that were manufactured at the College Lab in some of the popular churches on the island, such as St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya, All Saints’ Church, Borella, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Chilaw and St. Mary’s Church, Negombo. A large amplifier system of 180 Watt output was built for the church and camp of St. Anne’s Shrine, Talawila. A giant 27,000 Watts transformer for a three-phase electricity supply was also built under the guidance of Fr. Ignatius.

For all his work in the lab, Fr. Ignatius had his very own golaya in the person of Aloysius, a young man who was starving on the streets with little hope for the future. Fr. Ignatius employed him and they developed a lifelong friendship. Ignatius and Aloysius were workaholics who slept less and mostly on the table of the lab. The ‘equipment hospital’ was a mess, strewn with damaged radios, clocks, refrigerators, toys, and gramophones. However, whatever was brought to the lab, was restored by Fr. Ignatius. This is how Noel Crusz, a good friend of Ignatius illustrated the latter:

“Ignatius smoked ‘Peacock’ cigarettes butt to butt. His fingers were brown with nicotine. He had his tot of double-distilled Mendis special. He was generous to a fault, especially to those seeking advice on equipment, electronics, music or the classics.”

Fr. Ignatius as stated above was a brilliant teacher in whatever he taught. However, with all these talents what made him special and loved by all was his zeal for the Almighty and care for the needy. His devotion to the downtrodden made him a veritable angel to those who had once lost hope in life. Fr. Ignatius was a simple man who had a unique sense of humour. He was childlike and lovable. Such traits are not common in modern society. Chaplain Raja Pereira, a student of Fr. Ignatius relates an important story on the latter:

“One day, during class Father wrote on the board this equation: V = I x R and asked ‘What is this, son?”. I was still fresh with our B1 class’s Physics teacher Eric Mendis’ electricity lectures and so I soon put up my hand and said ‘Ohm’s Law, Father’. Fr. Ignatius responded ‘No sonna boy, this was God’s Law which Ohm happened to discover’. It was from here that we learnt that one should put what God said at all times ahead of what man says.”

In the early 1950s, Fr. Ignatius started the famous Catholic Choral Society consisting of young men and women from various parts of Colombo. Ruth Van Gramberg, my good friend living in Melbourne, wrote to me recently relating her experience in those memorable days of the Choral Society. She mentioned that the maestro regularly trained them and received many opportunities to perform at Radio Ceylon. She recalled how Fr. Perera would be invited to perform in public functions with the choir. Once the choir had performed for Premier Sir John Kotelawala at his Kandawala home.

On many occasions Fr. Ignatius paired with the like-minded media-friendly Fr. Noel Crusz. They partnered in several plays where Fr. Crusz wrote the screenplay and Fr. Ignatius directed the music. Those performances were attended by hundreds and sometimes in thousands. In 1956, the sound editing for the feature film Little Bike Lost, directed by Fr. Noel Crusz was done by Fr. Ignatius and his students in the radio lab.

One of the greatest supporters of Fr. Perera was Mrs. Edith (J.L.M.) Fernando of Pegasus Reef Hotel fame. She, through her son Lalin had come to know him quite well and lobbied those in the Church to aid his good work. Edith Fernando had convinced Fr. Peter Pillai to recommend Fr. Ignatius for a USIS Scholarship in the USA. This move paid off and Fr. Ignatius was able to travel to USA and Europe for his studies in 1960. One area he extensively studied was the new development in electromagnetism. Upon his return, Fr. Ignatius had plans to start a new radio lab.

Archbishop Thomas Cooray supported this ideal wholeheartedly and made plans to form the lab in Kotahena, near the Cathedral. In 1962, after donations had been received from many of his friends, students, and especially the Philips Electric Company, the Radio Lab was ready. It was blessed and opened by the Archbishop. This multi-story building was to make men and not records. Fr. Perera was very keen on recruiting school dropouts who did not have any hope in academics. Vocational studies such as electronics became a useful option.

Despite his high level of intelligence and ability to do multiple things, Fr. Ignatius Perera, was a simple, down-to-earth presbyter. His devotion to the poor and downtrodden was well known. It was customary for him to help anyone for nothing in return. On one occasion, when Fr. Justin Perera was admitted to a public ward at the General Hospital, he noticed that a child in critical condition was being put on an iron lung (a mechanical ventilator) which failed and those in the hospital were unable to fix it. While the child’s life was ebbing away, Fr. Justin called Fr. Ignatius for help. It was 10 in the night and Ignatius was as usual up and working in the lab. When answering the phone Ignatius said, “Justin, I have never seen an Iron Lung in all my life”. Fr. Justin countered saying, “That does not matter one bit. You just come along”.

Within a few minutes, Fr. Ignatius was on the scene and in a few moments fixed the failed Iron Lung with just a little strip of bamboo! Such was his interest in those in distress and his divine ability to repair appliances considered unfix-able. Fr. Justin in his writings discusses while he was editor of the Ceylon Catholic Messenger, one of the printing machines of the Colombo Catholic Press had failed when an important publication was being printed. Again, Fr. Ignatius did the impossible, though printing machines were not part of his expertise. On another occasion, when a large foreign ship was docked in the Colombo Port, its radios failed. The government of Ceylon trusted none but this genius priest, who once again did the needful with relative ease. Stories of Fr. Ignatius can go on and on. This is what makes him legendary.

Towards the end of his life, Fr. Ignatius’ sight failed and he became a recluse. However, only a year before his death, he received a Doctorate from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) with no Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. Such was his recognition.

Fr. Ignatius Perera passed away from a heart attack in his room in the Kotahena Lab premises on January 1981 aged 66. Many from various parts of the island came to pay their final respects to this much-loved and talented priest. President J.R. Jayewardene granted special permission to inter his remains on the premises of the Lab. Today a statue has been erected in his memory and yeoman contribution to the country. Whence cometh another?

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Features

Race hate and the need to re-visit the ‘Clash of Civilizations’

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: ‘No to race hate’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done very well to speak-up against and outlaw race hate in the immediate aftermath of the recent cold-blooded gunning down of several civilians on Australia’s Bondi Beach. The perpetrators of the violence are believed to be ardent practitioners of religious and race hate and it is commendable that the Australian authorities have lost no time in clearly and unambiguously stating their opposition to the dastardly crimes in question.

The Australian Prime Minister is on record as stating in this connection: ‘ New laws will target those who spread hate, division and radicalization. The Home Affairs Minister will also be given new powers to cancel or refuse visas for those who spread hate and a new taskforce will be set up to ensure the education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.’

It is this promptness and single-mindedness to defeat race hate and other forms identity-based animosities that are expected of democratic governments in particular world wide. For example, is Sri Lanka’s NPP government willing to follow the Australian example? To put the record straight, no past governments of Sri Lanka initiated concrete measures to stamp out the evil of race hate as well but the present Sri Lankan government which has pledged to end ethnic animosities needs to think and act vastly differently. Democratic and progressive opinion in Sri Lanka is waiting expectantly for the NPP government’ s positive response; ideally based on the Australian precedent to end race hate.

Meanwhile, it is apt to remember that inasmuch as those forces of terrorism that target white communities world wide need to be put down their counterpart forces among extremist whites need to be defeated as well. There could be no double standards on this divisive question of quashing race and religious hate, among democratic governments.

The question is invariably bound up with the matter of expeditiously and swiftly advancing democratic development in divided societies. To the extent to which a body politic is genuinely democratized, to the same degree would identity based animosities be effectively managed and even resolved once and for all. To the extent to which a society is deprived of democratic governance, correctly understood, to the same extent would it experience unmanageable identity-bred violence.

This has been Sri Lanka’s situation and generally it could be stated that it is to the degree to which Sri Lankan citizens are genuinely constitutionally empowered that the issue of race hate in their midst would prove manageable. Accordingly, democratic development is the pressing need.

While the dramatic blood-letting on Bondi Beach ought to have driven home to observers and commentators of world politics that the international community is yet to make any concrete progress in the direction of laying the basis for an end to identity-based extremism, the event should also impress on all concerned quarters that continued failure to address the matters at hand could prove fatal. The fact of the matter is that identity-based extremism is very much alive and well and that it could strike devastatingly at a time and place of its choosing.

It is yet premature for the commentator to agree with US political scientist Samuel P. Huntingdon that a ‘Clash of Civilizations’ is upon the world but events such as the Bondi Beach terror and the continuing abduction of scores of school girls by IS-related outfits, for instance, in Northern Africa are concrete evidence of the continuing pervasive presence of identity-based extremism in the global South.

As a matter of great interest it needs mentioning that the crumbling of the Cold War in the West in the early nineties of the last century and the explosive emergence of identity-based violence world wide around that time essentially impelled Huntingdon to propound the hypothesis that the world was seeing the emergence of a ‘Clash of Civilizations’. Basically, the latter phrase implied that the Cold War was replaced by a West versus militant religious fundamentalism division or polarity world wide. Instead of the USSR and its satellites, the West, led by the US, had to now do battle with religion and race-based militant extremism, particularly ‘Islamic fundamentalist violence’ .

Things, of course, came to a head in this regard when the 9/11 calamity centred in New York occurred. The event seemed to be startling proof that the world was indeed faced with a ‘Clash of Civilizations’ that was not easily resolvable. It was a case of ‘Islamic militant fundamentalism’ facing the great bulwark, so to speak, of ‘ Western Civilization’ epitomized by the US and leaving it almost helpless.

However, it was too early to write off the US’ capability to respond, although it did not do so by the best means. Instead, it replied with military interventions, for example, in Iraq and Afghanistan, which moves have only earned for the religious fundamentalists more and more recruits.

Yet, it is too early to speak in terms of a ‘Clash of Civilizations’. Such a phenomenon could be spoken of if only the entirety of the Islamic world took up arms against the West. Clearly, this is not so because the majority of the adherents of Islam are peaceably inclined and want to coexist harmoniously with the rest of the world.

However, it is not too late for the US to stop religious fundamentalism in its tracks. It, for instance, could implement concrete measures to end the blood-letting in the Middle East. Of the first importance is to end the suffering of the Palestinians by keeping a tight leash on the Israeli Right and by making good its boast of rebuilding the Gaza swiftly.

Besides, the US needs to make it a priority aim to foster democratic development worldwide in collaboration with the rest of the West. Military expenditure and the arms race should be considered of secondary importance and the process of distributing development assistance in the South brought to the forefront of its global development agenda, if there is one.

If the fire-breathing religious demagogue’s influence is to be blunted worldwide, then, it is development, understood to mean equitable growth, that needs to be fostered and consolidated by the democratic world. In other words, the priority ought to be the empowerment of individuals and communities. Nothing short of the latter measures would help in ushering a more peaceful world.

Features

The perennial challenge of peace-keeping and reconciliation

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Christmas

Peace on Earth to all people of good-will is the perennial and the pristine song of Joy and hope aired in every nook and corner during every Christmas season commemorating the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. In his own day, Jesus of Nazareth was himself a wonderful instrument of peace and reconciliation in his own homeland of Palestine. He was open to all classes of people, whatever their ethnicity, race, language or social class with preference particularly to the sectors of the poor among these social strata. He would freely crisscross the various regions of Palestine which at that time was tri-partite: Galilee in the north with its fishing villages, lakes graced with wonderful beaches and imposing ranges of hills and valleys; Samaria in the middle and Judea in the deep south which located the religious centers of Judaism with its magnificent temple and also housed the State buildings of the Roman prefectures.

Liberation from Oppression

Entire Palestine was colonized with Caesar sitting in Rome his capital and having his legates governing the local provinces. People too were living in the expectation of a Messiah who would fight the colonial power and thus bring liberation to their oppressed motherland. There was a strongly prevalent messianic current of hope circulating and the longing for the day and the appearance of the Messiah, the liberator. Though inundated by Roman paganism and constantly under the threat of foreign invasion, the people kept to their traditional religious beliefs with their festivals, pilgrimages, rituals and rites and laws.

Unfortunately, there was a historic breach with the breakaway of the Samaritans from the Jews, both claiming to be authentic descendants of their earliest patriarchs. They had different holy centers of worship. Jews considered the Samaritans a hybrid race enabled by the inter-marriages encouraged by the invading Assyrian foreigners (721 BC) with the local population that were not deported by the invaders. It was a historic schism that had very sad socio-cultural, religious and political repercussions. As time went by, this enmity had created many tensions and had percolated into many other serious issues that caused estrangement within the country. The story of the Good Samaritan who came to the rescue of the Jew fallen among the robbers along the road to Jericho and the sole leper who returned to thank Jesus following his healing and who happened to be a Samaritan are gospel incidents that strived to heal this division and bring reconciliation among the two dissenting groups. Creating confusion among the general public was also the fact of the misunderstanding of the mission of the Messiah wholly thought of as a purely political liberation which was only a partial truth.

The homeland of Jesus was desperately in need of a profound spiritual and religious revolution. There had to be a more humane understanding of the Law of Moses, the great code of the national ethic and putting relationships in their correct perspective despite the fact that the land was surrounded on all sides with kingdoms and ruling monarchs who were pagan and the worship of idols was rampant. People treasured their religious and cultural traditions and were in great fear of them being lost when invading foreigners threatened their sovereignty and even territorial integrity. Their very land was sacred for it was the land of their God and therefore defended against any foreign pagan aggression. In fact, there had been often and on many insurrectionist movements rebelling against the Roman colonial rule that were summarily crushed.

Religion at the service of Freedom & Liberation

Jesus Christ saw the need of introducing a new spirituality based on a new ethic to restore the religious sensibilities of Israel. From the mountain he taught the classical sermon on the Beatitudes which declared the poor as blessed and those who suffered persecution for the sake of justice and righteousness as blessed too. It would be the meek who will inherit the earth and those who are merciful would be the true children of God. Pharisaical spirit of religion that is subservient to the letter of the Law that kills and false religiosity limited purely to rites and rituals were to be empty of meaning. Love of God to be total had to be matched with the love for the neighbor. Even enemies were to be loved without conditions. Self-righteousness had no place in the spirituality he propounded. People have to be fed both with spiritual food of truth as well as material nourishment to feed their hunger as he multiplied fish and loaves in the Galilean mountains to cater to the thousands who had flocked to hear him and sought blessings of healing and solace. Many were stunned wondering how the son of a carpenter could have such wisdom and powers even over demons who rattled at his presence. Simple jealousy, unfounded fear and a great amount of misunderstanding and suspicion finally caved in from his enemies, the religious authorities of Jerusalem and the Roman governor that led to that shamefully blatant and unjust condemnation ever recorded in legal history: the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

In some ways the celebration of Christmas, which is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is being caricatured with commercialism and mere external fanfare with décor and illuminations. The deeper truth is that we are celebrating a spiritual event that was decisive in history: God entering the world in the real physical and bodily appearance of a human being. He made humanity make its peace with God and brought enlightenment about the mystery of life and death declaring the importance of love and respect of others in neighborly love and forgiveness. Like an industrious fisherman he cast his net into the deep and distant waters for an abundance of harvest that would bring civilization itself a mighty haul of blessings. Christianity is very much alive in its two millennia history cutting across cultures and civilizations witnessing to the belief in God and the dignity of man who has an eternal destiny. This religion is pro-life in all dimensions: safety of the unborn, the sacredness and inviolability of every life, the sanctity of marriage, life-beyond death, no violence of any kind, no wars, no nuclear weapons, no arms race or unwarranted ethnic or racial superiority, no danger to sovereignty of nations and their territorial integrity and safe haven for refugees and migrants of every hue.

It is in some of these very difficult issues that peace-keeping and work of reconciliation are becoming global priorities. Science and technology alone are no saviors of humanity embattled as it is in problems that appear to be very dramatic and far extensive. In no way should human beings become victims of their own creations however impressive they may be. Humanity must be the center of our global concerns and innovations with everything serving it towards a better quality of life. A Human being must never be instrumentalized in dehumanizing experiments. On the contrary, he must be served in all things so that his unique place in creation may not be displaced and continue to be the final point of reference in all world’s undertakings and ventures. To this must all regional and international bodies commit themselves in earnest. Christianity considers Jesus Christ the Lord to be the goal of human history, the focal point of the longings of history and of civilization, the center of the human race, the joy of every heart and the answer to all its yearnings as the great Vatican II Council document put it (Gaudium et Spes 45) while the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts (Gaud. et Spes 1).

Christianity & Secularity

It is this spirit of Jesus Christ that impels Christianity to be closely involved in the world society’s journey which registers the triumphs and failures of history. Wherever it has gone, it has opened hospitals for healing the sick, schools for education and other charitable institutions thus playing the role of the Good Samaritan in keeping the fires of charity and compassion alive in a society always prone to various kinds of natural disasters and human conflicts that bring misery and suffering. Christianity favors an economic system that is neither radically socialist nor downright capitalistic and holds primacy of labor over capital, thus taking a clear anti-Marxist stand in this ever important socio-political issue. The dignity and working conditions of the worker with the issue of a living wage, pension benefits, sharing of profits, private enterprise are considered important human issues to be dealt with within the parameters of social justice and labour rights. Democratic principles are preeminently Christian in outlook empowering people to make the needed political options in constructing a system of governance and rule that benefits the common and the greater good. Christianity wishes its voice to be heard in international fora and in contexts in which important decisions affecting people globally are made.

If the spirit of Christmas is to endure beyond its usual annual celebration, the challenges of the Christmas event must be faced and due response to its newer questions met with courage and hope. In the concrete, they are the peace among nations, inter-religious harmony, war against terror and fundamentalisms, economies without disparities and respect for human rights as well as basic freedoms. These are all elements for reconciliation and building-blocks for peace-keeping. Military superiority and economic imperialism are the most satanic forms of modern paganism that plague our world creating so much suspicion, instability and tensions. More spirit of listening, dialogue and understanding are in demand for a stable world and a new form of warm humanism. In emulation of Jesus Christ the eminent peace-maker and reconciler, it behoves that all those who claim to be peace-makers and agents of reconciliation pursue the same mission. Thus, the spirit of Christmas is preserved ever alive.

by Rev. Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI
Ph.D., Th.D.

Features

So this is Christmas …

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

The world over, Christmas is being celebrated today. However, in our part of the world, Christmas, and the lead up to the New Year, will be observed on a sombre note.

With this in mind, I wish my readers a Blessed Christmas and let’s hope 2026 will be a good one … without any fear.

Several known personalities also send their greetings and best wishes to The Island readers:

* Noshin De Silva (Actress):

Happy Holidays to everyone across our beautiful island! As we move toward the end of the year, my heart goes out to all communities affected by the recent floods and severe weather. In these challenging weeks, we have also witnessed the true spirit of Sri Lanka through the humility, compassion, and unity of people coming together to support one another. May this season bring comfort to those rebuilding, gratitude to those giving, and hope to us all. Wishing everyone Peace, Healing, Great Health, and a very Happy New Year!

* Melloney Dassanayaka (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024):

As we celebrate the blessings of Christmas and step with hope into a brand-new year, I am reminded of the strength, resilience, and spirit that define us as Sri Lankans. This festive season invites us to reflect, to appreciate what we have, and to look ahead with courage.

Be positive and embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Be smart, be brave, and work hard for yourself, because your future is shaped by the determination you carry within.

May this Christmas fill your hearts with peace and joy, and may the New Year bring you endless possibilities, renewed strength, and the confidence to pursue every dream.

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Bright, Prosperous New Year!

With love and warm wishes.

* Raffealla Fernando (Photographer/Designer):

Wishing you a beautiful, light-filled Christmas and a New Year overflowing with inspiration.

As a photographer and designer, I’m constantly searching for the moments, colours, and stories. that make life extraordinary and this season always reminds me how much beauty there is in the simple things: warm laughter, shared memories, and the quiet magic of togetherness.

Thank you for being part of my creative journey this year.

May your holidays be filled with genuine joy, and may 2026 bring you new adventures, brighter light, and endless reasons to smile.

This season, I’m also wishing for something close to my heart: for Sri Lanka to rise up bigger, better, and stronger. Nothing more to ask for than peace in these turbulent hearts, peace of mind for every soul, and the strength to rebuild our country in the coming year.

Merry Christmas, and a Vibrant, Inspiring New Year.

* Andrea Marr (Singer – Australia):

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year. May the message of Christmas remain in your hearts and give you peace.

* AROH (Music group):

We thank you for sharing your year with us, for every lyric sung, every rhythm embraced, and every stage shared. Your incredible support fuels our passion and continues to inspire the music we create.

Although the past few weeks have seen heaps of problems cropping up, may your Christmas be filled with Joy, Peace, and the beautiful harmony of family and friends.

Also, may the New Year bring you prosperity, health, and a score of exciting new possibilities.

We look forward to connecting with you through music in the coming year, as well.

* Melantha Perera (Singer):

Music heals the soul, and sharing its gift this season fills our hearts with joy.

May our melodies spread love to every soul, making our Creator smile as we celebrate His birth.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year in perfect harmony!

* Natasha Rathnayake (Singer):

As we close another year and step into a new one, may this season remind us of what truly matters — kindness, connection, and love for all living beings.

Let’s carry forward the lessons, the healing, and the gratitude we’ve gathered, and step into 2026 with open hearts, courage, and compassion.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas filled with blessings and joy, and a New Year that inspires clarity, creativity, and love in all that you do.

With love, and abundance of blessings!

God bless.

AROH

* Sohan Weerasinghe (Singer):

Yes, Christmas is back and 2026 is around the corner. It’s time once again to convey my good wishes and also to remind myself to be careful of my waistline as I have a weakness for goodies, especially Christmas cake!

Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year and you also must do your utmost to help the needy people around you, especially those affected by the disaster that took us all by surprise; give till it hurts!

* JJ Twins (Duo):

As the magic of Christmas fills the air and a brand-new year approaches, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for your continued support. May this festive season bring you joy, peace, and time spent with those you cherish.

We also take this moment to warmly wish Ivan Alvis a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year filled with success and happiness.

Jesus bless you all, and may you have a Christ-filled Christmas and New Year!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Bright, Successful New Year!

* SEVEN NOTES (Music group – Dubai):

SEVEN NOTES

As we celebrate the joy of Christmas and welcome the dawn of a brand-new year, we extend our heartfelt wishes to the readers and the dedicated team of The Island newspaper.

May this festive season bring peace, love, and harmony into your homes, and may the New Year 2026 be filled with success, good health, and new opportunities.

Thank you for inspiring communities across the globe with trusted journalism and unwavering service.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2026.