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| Sunday, 12 May 2002 |
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A Nomadic mission accomplished In commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Ordination of the Archbishop the Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando which falls on 14th May, 2002.
In 1977, Sri Lanka was on the verge of political change when the mantle of shepherding the Archdiocesan flock felt on the much respected priest-formator, Nicholas Marcus Fernando, the present Archbishop of Colombo. Taking over as the 7th Archbishop of Colombo, he became the first among the diocesan clergy to wear the shoes of the fisherman of the Archdiocese. Formally taking charge of the Archdiocese as the Archbishop - elect on 2nd May 1977, he declared "The Church is on a pilgrimage; the people of God are nomadic. WE therefore have to be on the move: we have to be dynamic; we have to be caught up in time; in the before, in the now and in the after. We have to be a people of the past, of the present and of the future." In the 25 year pilgrimage under the leadership of the present Archbishop who belonged to the second generation of indigenous bishops, it is this nomadic and dynamic vision that lies hidden in many a program, message, decision and action in the Archdiocese. Some of those were revolutionary at that time, others were controversial and yet others misunderstood or misinterpreted. "In a church where there is love, there is room for everybody," He insisted. Thus the then quite popular 'public sinner attitude' towards the fallen, the divorced and those committed suicide was removed and replaced with an attitude that" in a church filled with Love.... there is room for all these for the virtuous and for the sinner.... Love is such a noble thing." And it was with this same attitude that both fallen lay person and fallen priest were treated. The Good Shepherd cared for the healthy, lost and wounded sheep of his flock. Fearless voice It was due to this dynamic vision that the Shepherd of Archdiocese spoke out on social, economic, political and human justice issues that threatened the very foundations of democracy and the social fabric in the post independent Sri Lanka. He made the Archdiocesan flock to feel the pains of the July strikers, share the sorrow of the ethnic riot victims, and extend a fraternal hand to the thousands of countrymen suffering due to a drought or a flood. As a true son of the soil he expressed his sincere views on the presence of the Indian army even when there were death-threats to those who spoke on the subject then. He did not hesitate to speak out against the monstrosity of terrorism and condemn it. He felt with the people of the South while standing for the legitimate rights of the people of the North and East. His generosity extended to some dioceses in the North and East to care for the victims of war. He contributed to the welfare of the wounded soldiers by organising a special fund. When he stood for a united Sri Lanka publicly calling it a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural society, criticism and cynicism erupted in various corners and columns in editorials and commentaries. Yet his dynamic and realistic vision took a firm hold in the hearts of the countrymen and his flock. Invisible yet walking with the flock Like a man chosen by destiny or a prophet sent by God, Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando led his flock not so much by being a dominant and a conspicuous leader but by being a invisible Shephered who was yet feeling and walking with the flock and always on the move in search of better answers, wiser ways, verdant pastures and running streams. While on the move his voice was heard; in crisis it was loud and clear. Acknowledgement of the voice was not only by the flock but by all men of goodwill, particularly at times of national crises and turmoil. Thus he was dubbed, in the heat of the last parliamentary elections, by some sections of the media as the Desmond Tutu or Jamie Sin of Sri Lanka. Time to move on Twenty five silvery years of a diocese and a Bishop in missionary work and nation building is no doubt a time for thanksgiving. Thanksgiving for the blessings, thanksgiving for the dedicated person who guided without looking for power, position or worldly honour. It is also a time to reflect and adapt ourselves to the changing conditions of the day to day life and face the new challenges of the 21st century we have just begun. It is also a time for the Sri Lankan church to move on once again proclaiming the love of God, equality of man and peace and reconciliation to all men and women, which is the Goodness of Jesus Christ. In the words of the Silver Jubilarian himself "A Shephered's life, and the life of the sheep are in constant motion, never sure of the morrow; never sure of anything except that Providence which is the love of God, has wisely arranged for his creature. This is why we have no lasting city here... no permanent abode... for we seek a city which is to come. We cannot decide to settle down and build a tower that reaches to the skies to make for ourselves a name, for the Lord will make a Babel of it, lest we forget our destiny, our life beyond life." These were the guiding principles of a true Prince of the Church - Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando. Fr. Elmo Dias, A former Secretary to the Archbishop |
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