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| Sunday, 24 November 2002 |
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Catholic business community fetes Archbishop of Colombo The Catholic Business Persons and Professionals Association recently felicitated Bishop Oswald Thomas Colman Gomis, their founder Patron, after being elevated to the high ecclesiastical office as Archbishop of Colombo and Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. The citation felicitating His Lordship Gomis said: "We are indeed privileged and honoured to felicitate our founder Patron, Colombo Archbishop Oswald Thomas Colman Gomis on his being elevated to the high ecclesiastical office as Archbishop of Colombo and Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. It is a rich and a very deserved reward for his years of devoted and dedicated toil in the Lord's vineyard. He is the eighth in line of succession in the Archdiocese of Colombo, first proclaimed by Pope Leo XIII in 1887. "We the Catholic Business Persons and Professionals are proud to welcome His Grace and felicitate him on his appointment as the Archbishop of Colombo as well as reappointment as Secretary-General of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference". His Lordship son of Vincent and Florinda Gomis of Kelaniya. he was ordained a priest in 1958. Archbishop Gomis served the Church in different capacities. He was Director of the Colombo Catholic Press and Editor of both its weekly publications. He is a prolific writer, both in Sinhala and English. He has written several books of relevance to the Roman Catholic faith in particular and Christianity. In recognition of his valuable contribution to Social Communications, he received an Honourary Doctorate from the Fu Jen University (Republic of China), while Medicina Alternativa (Philippines) conferred an Honourary Doctorate for Complementary Medicines in the field of medico-social work. He later obtained a Master's Degree in Education at Adamson University in the Philippines". He was consecrated a Bishop in July 1968, at the age of 36 and served as Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo until he was entrusted with the duties of the Diocese of Anuradhapura in 1995 succeeding Bishop Joy Gunawardene OMI, the first Bishop of Anuradhapura. He has been in the forefront of the post Vatican II enculteration process to build an indigenous Catholic Church of Sri Lanka, in keeping with the culture and traditions of the country. He has been widely respected for identifying with the culture, traditions and simple lifestyle of Sri Lanka. Throughout his ministry and especially while at Anuradhapura, Archbishop Gomis has initiated and fostered close ties with Sri Lanka's other major religions. He is known to have a close rapport with the country's foremost Buddhist prelates. His great concern for the poor, irrespective of race or religion is also evident in his ministry, and has been a hallmark of his character since his boyhood. Currently, Archbishop Gomis is also the President of the Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka. Many are his achievement at home as well as in the international field. Appointed Secretary-General of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences in 1998, he was unanimously re-elected to this position in 2002. He has attended the Asian Bishops Conference seminars in Manila, Taipei and Calcutta as well as several other international conferences. He also has the distinction of being the first Catholic prelate to be appointed as the Chancellor of the 'University of Colombo' in appreciation of his contribution to the development of education in Sri Lanka. Archbishop Oswald Gomis has a wealth of experience as a spiritual leader and administrator. He brings to his new post valuable expertise as a scholar, educationist, historian, author and above all, a revered pastor. Despite his many achievements however, he remains simple and unassuming in manner. His Grace assumes office as Archbishop at a crucial time when the country is striving to achieve a meaningful peace after long years of war. As President of the Bishops Conference he has done much to further the cause of peace and national harmony. With his love for the country and its culture, he will be an asset to the peace efforts of the country, in his office as Chief Prelate of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. `Ad multos annos' we wish him. May the Good Lord be with you all the way in your position of tremendous responsibility. |
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