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| Sunday, 27 November 2005 |
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Cyril Abeynaike - 10th Bishop of Colombo : Scholar, educationist, theologian by Swanthri Dassenaike
Born on 22nd Febru ary 1911, Cyril Linden Abeynaike was called by God to be a leader and a humble shepherd to his flock. His early education was at a convent in Ratnapura, after which he continued and completed his studies at Royal College, Colombo. He was an outstanding student and won a scholarship to the University of Colombo. There too he excelled in his studies, obtaining an honours degree in History from the University of London. After this brilliant performance, his friends naturally expected him to join the Civil Service and were most surprised that he opted instead to join the ordained Ministry in response to God's call. He told them privately, "that the call should be so clear and insistent that one could not possibly resist it". He was obviously influenced in such a decision by his godly home and the parish of his youth - St. Paul's, Milagiriya. Unassuming manner His next step was to join the Divinity School where some of his early teachers were Dr. G. B. Ekanayake, Rev. George Jirasinha, Bertram Wikramanayake and others. When he next went to King's College, London to sit for his degree in theological studies, he surprised them all by his remarkable command of the English language. On completion of his degree in Divinity he returned home and was made a deacon in 1936. In his pastral life he chose to work among the poor and under - privileged children in far-off places. He could have served in several prominent urban churches, but he chose to work amongst the poor and humble people in his stations. He is much remembered and revered even so many years after his demise in May 1991, for the enormous contributions he made to God, the church and all those he met with. Even in his simple, unassuming manner, people felt drawn to him because his influence was so great. One such person who benefited largely by his associations with him was Fr. Chrishantha Mendis, the present Archdeacon of Colombo. His association dated back to the time he started serving as an Altar Server under him at the tender age of 5 years. Watching Bishop Cyril taking Service and celebrating so reverently and growing up under the teaching of such a soft spoken, gentle person, Fr. Chrishantha feels positively what influenced him to join the priesthood, although he himself is by no means soft spoken, but rather, endowed with a vibrant and dynamic personality. Fr. Chrisantha had the unique satisfaction observing as an Altar Server in his childhood and then in later life be ordained by him to the diaconate and priesthood as well. There is much I have come to learn about Bishop Cyril from Fr. Chrisantha's long - standing personal association with him. Many positions During his Ministry Bishop Cyril served in many positions and many stations. He served as Asst. Curate at St. Michael's Chruch, Polwatte, then as priest-in-charge, Christ Church, Galle Face, then at Mission to Seamen, after which he was ordained as Archdeacon, Colombo and Principal of the Divinity School, both in 1964. He was also Editor, Ceylon Churchman, General Manager, Diocesan Schools, General Secretary of the National Christian Council and the Rural Dean, Colombo South. Rich quality As curate in churches he took an active part in parish activities - Missionary Service, Sunday School work, Choir practices, Server's guild and cottage meetings to name a few. He was always conscious that his directions came from God and this was the reason he willingly accepted very junior posts adding rich quality to his own life and with those with whom he came in contact. He was also associated with ecumenical work in the Ceylon Student Christian movement, the CCYM, YMCA, YWCA. As a pastor he was much loved and sought after as a friend, philosopher, guide and as a good listener. Spiritual life We learn from Fr. Chrisantha that Bishop Cyril advised his students that on their first pastoral visits they should spend time with the family coming to know them and, thereafter on subsequent visits they should briefly stop at the door, say a prayer and then move on, having enquired from them about their welfare. The secret of his Christ life was his spiritual life being at Mass, taking Confession seriously, finding time for quiet days and retreats. Although Bishop Cyril was quiet and soft spoken he was very friendly and always encouraged people to come to him for counselling. In his pastoral duties and obligations, he not only accomplished them with commitment and dedication, but also his humility was such that he identified himself as one of the poor & downtrodden in near slum conditions & thereby earned the affectionate name of "Priest of the Slums." He was a man of prayer and would always seek God's guidance before embarking on any decision. With his prayers he always attempted to bring consolation to all people irrespective of their religion. To the point It was a pleasure to listen to his sermons. His choice of language and perfect diction and writings showed God's gift to him to write. He attempted to bring out Biblical truths, using every day experiences and incidents, adding little stories to it, and using 10 minutes as maximum sermon time. Even his Good Friday sermons which normally are long and arduous were kept to the point and enjoyed by all. All of this influence is evident in Fr. Chrishantha's colourful sermons, which too are equally relished. Bishop Cyril was "a clear thinker, a born teacher and a good preacher". During the 10-year period between him being ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood he held many notable positions. He was essentially a teacher at heart. He was Asst. Master and Asst. Chaplain at S. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia for three years. Then on to Kandy Central Itinerancy briefly, then to Uva College, Badulla as Vice Principal and Chaplain and then was appointed Principal, Christ Church College, Wattegama." He was a perfect teacher. His academic life was the "sharing of knowledge and experience of God as a teacher. He did not seek degrees, but was a good teacher who never ceased to be a student." He had many "firsts" to his credit-first Asst. Curate to be appointed Rural Dean, first Asst. Curate to be appointed Archdeacon, first Archdeacon to have continued as Asst. Curate, first married Archdeacon of Colombo after many years, first student of the Divinity School to be appointed its Principal. His Ministry was multiple and deeply rooted in the God he served. He was a scholar, teacher & theologian. He considered seriously that a substantial part of a child's upbringing came essentially from his home life. He stressed the importance of religion in a home, "where the young are sheltered, where economic needs are met, where obedience & discipline are meted out and where is stabilised and controlled the satisfaction of the sex instinct. He reasoned that for such grooming, parent education was a primary need and that religious bodies should play a major role in this." Happy home His desire to share and his sacrificial nature was such, that he even gifted his eyes for another to see through them even long after he was gone. At his Enthronement Service he said that this was a position he "neither desired nor deserved." He said that "we are a pilgrim people with no static position, but there are tasks to be accomplished, deeds to be done, souls to be saved, a country to be served and a Gospel to be preached. When God guides, He also provides. He bids us go because He has gone before us and He bids us come because he is waiting for us."Our Cathedral in Colombo started by Bishop Harold was completed by Bishop Cyril. Some of the impressive features there were Bishop Cyril's ideas and he had the privilege of consecrating it. A servant This article would not be complete if mention is not made of his dear wife Fidelia. She matched him ideally in her simplicity of living, giving him maximum support. To her credit it must be said that she was well versed in oriental music and lyrics. She gave of herself "quietly, loyally and graciously and making her own distinction by helping to build a happy home. The same must be said of their two children Lakshman and Shanthi who themselves are highly educated but equally humble like their parents. Bishop Cyril's life was simple and humble almost to a fault. He is described as an "unassuming man, never trying to assert himself, not overtly conscious of his academic achievements. A man who. "From the desk of a teacher to the stand of a shepherd, Bearing his people in prayer he comes, Not as a master but as a servant of servants The purple of penitence not of power he dons" Bishop Cyril was in a true sense "a servant of the servant Lord. A friend of the poorest and lowliest and lost, whom he comforted and steered out of their misery by his own closeness to God." And so came to an end a worthy life; Christ-like, well spent in obedience to his Master's call. God called him Home on the eye of Ascension Day. "Was it to greet the return of the Saviour whom he had known and loved for so long and be greeted by the welcome - "Well done, thou good & faithful servant - enter into the joy of your rest". Truly...................he was a man of God. A memorial lecture titled "Caring for God's World" will be delivered by Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala at the Cathedral of Christ the Living, Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 on Monday 12th December 2005 at 6 pm. preceded by a fellowship at 5.30 pm. Dr. Sriyanie is a graduate in Biology of the University of Colombo and obtained her MA from Smith College, Northampton Massachusetts, USA and her PhD in Wildlife and Range Sciences from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. A Smithsonian Research Associate, she is presently consultant to the Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group Asia, at IUCN The World Conservation Union, an intergovernmental organization that brings together some 181 countries. She is also a writer and illustrator and her publications range from scientific papers to books and articles on natural history. |
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