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Churches exhorted to demonstrate unity in divided Sri Lanka
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2003-139H
Posted: Friday, June 13, 2003
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Churches in the South Asian nation of Sri Lanka, which has been torn apart by a bloody civil war for almost two decades, are being challenged to seek greater harmony.
'We need to be united and stay together if we are to preach unity to our divided nation,' said Anglican Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, chairperson of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), at the council's annual meeting in Colombo. 'Let us give up competition in mission and cold war among ourselves.'
Each of the council's eight member churches has been asked to appoint full-time staff to deal with inter-church relations. Christians comprise 7 per cent of Sri Lanka's 19 million people. Roman Catholics account for more than 80 per cent of Christians. The council's member churches include Anglicans, Methodists, Church of South India, the Dutch Reformed Church, and the Salvation Army.
In a report to the assembly, the council's general secretary, the Rev. Ebenezer Joseph, listed a number of steps already approved by the council to forge greater unity between churches. A common lectionary (table of bible readings for worship) already approved by NCCSL member churches will come into force in November, and common marriage, baptism and funeral service liturgies are being drafted.
'We are a minority in a small nation. We have to be as much united as we can,' said Joseph.
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