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| Sunday, 5 December 2004 |
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Peace advocate Fr. Oswald B. Firth bids good-bye by Samson Jayasinghe, National Secretary, Samasevaya Rev. Fr. Oswald B. Firth, a partner in resolving but not in conflict that the Sri Lankan society experienced in the recent past, leaves Sri Lanka to assume a high portfolio in the Catholic church. Rev. Fr. Firth is a very distinctive person among those who gave leadership to the civil society who demanded peace and wanted to end the unwanted war that killed a large number of persons, that made several persons disabled and destroyed a large amount of resources. He strengthened those people by dedicating his life. He is one of those who is revered by clergy and members of all religious communities for being a co-president of the Inter-Religious peace foundation. Being a witness to the beliefs of Christianity, he unhaltingly advocated that all religions as celestial medicine for development of the humanity. Several religious leaders have expressed their belief that the inter-religious understanding activities of Rev. Fr. Firth, his dedication and enthusiasm has led to resolve a large number of inter-religious conflicts that would have destroyed the unity. He was felicitated by one of the oldest civil society organisations, Samasevaya, with the rank of honour of 'Samashuri' for his distinguished services for empowering the civil society to demand peace in Sri Lanka by visiting and meeting them in every part of the country. That was in the year 2003. There is a greater recognition with political parties, Sri Lanka Government, the LTTE, inter-religious structures, trade unions, artistes and civil society organisations demanding peace. It is very necessary to state that his unblemished character, strong personality, professionalism in service, classical education and the ability to speak several languages made him unique among all peace workers in strengthening the peace process. He was able to meet the LTTE leaders long before the 2003 peace accord, with other civil society leaders by going into the battle headquarters of the LTTE in the centre of forests in the Vanni. He was also able to get 10 hostages freed in this mission organised by the association of relatives of soldiers missing in action, and lay foundations for the basic cessation of hostilities. He received his primary education at Moratuwa St. Sebastian's College and joined the National Seminary, Strausbeurg University in France and the Gregorian University in Rome and was awarded doctorates. |
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