Bishop Harold to shepherd the flock of Kurunegala

by Commodore Shemal Fernando, RSP, USP, MSc

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Kurunegala. Thus, His Lordship Harold Anthony Perera, popularly known as ‘Bishop Harry’ becomes the first Sri Lankan Bishop to serve in four dioceses of which in three as the Chief Shepherd and surely his name will be etched in the annals of the Holy Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera was firstly ordained a Priest of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Colombo. Secondly, with his elevation to the highest ecclesiastical position of a Chief Shepherd, he was appointed as the Bishop of Ratnapura. Thirdly, he was appointed and installed as the Bishop of Galle. Now, he is being installed as the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese of Kurunegala.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera says that he discerns his appointments from See of Ratnapura to See of Galle and now to See of Kurunegala as the will of God, coming through His Superior, the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ. Bishop Harold as a courageous colossus of the Catholic Church will surely shepherd his new flock with affection, in keeping with His motto, “the strongest bond of peace is love” and trusting in the Providence of God and the protection of Our Blessed Mother.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Leopold Raymond Peiris spearheaded the Diocese of Kurunegala as the first Bishop of the diocese for 22 years from 1987. Bishop Harold says that Bishop Raymond has sailed the ship to the waters and his task is to sail it to the deep.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kurunegala was set up on May 15, 1987. It was Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the then Bishop of Chilaw who convinced the Holy See that the eastern part of the Diocese of Chilaw, namely the area covered by the District of Kurunegala would develop much faster, if it becomes an independent diocese. At present, the diocese consists of 30 parishes, 53 priests and encompasses 4,763 square kilometres.

Bishop of Galle

His Lordship Harold was installed as the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Galle on March 8, 2005 at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Galle. The Diocese of Galle is one of the oldest dioceses in Sri Lanka and boasts a proud history of 115 years. He assumed duties at a very crucial juncture in the history of our country, just after the tsunami tidal waves devastated the whole of the Southern coastal belt. The original Diocese of Galle that comprised the two Administrative Provinces of Southern and Sabaragamuwa was divided in 1995 to create the new Diocese of Ratnapura. The present Diocese of Galle includes the three Administrative Districts of Galle, Matara and Hambanthota.

The Diocese of Galle will remember Bishop Harold for his pioneering work mainly to resurrect the diocese from the catastrophe of tsunami, for his praiseworthy missionary and evangelizing efforts and for his unmatched apostolic zeal towards welfare of the diocese.

As Chairman of Caritas Sri Lanka, he made untiring efforts to harness the resources available to be utilized towards his mammoth efforts in constructing thousands of houses and several school buildings. His determination and inspiration in timely completion of renovation work of the famed St. Mary’s Shrine in Matara for the Centenary Celebrations is indeed remarkable.

Bishop of Ratnapura

Bishop Harold was appointed as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Ratnapura and took Canonical possession of the Diocese at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ratnapura on March 22, 2003 following his Episcopal Ordination at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena on March 18, 2003 by the Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith. He served the diocese as the Bishop of Ratnapura from January 29, 2003 to February 15, 2005. Also, he functioned as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese from July 2006 to May 4, 2007.

The Diocese of Ratnapura was originally a part of the Diocese of Galle. On November 2, 1995 it became an independent diocese and includes the two Administrative Districts of Ratnapura and Kegalle.

The first Bishop of Ratnapura, the Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith who steered the newly carved diocese from November 2, 1995 to October 1, 2001 was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for the future of the diocese within a short span of 5 years.

Birth and early life

Bishop Harold was born on June 9, 1951 as the second son of late Mr. Michael Perera and late Mrs. Pesona Jayamaha. The only other member of his family was his elder brother, late Mr. Gabriel Joseph Perera. The surviving relatives in the family are the widow of his brother and her two children and their families.

He received his primary education at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic School at Pamunugama upto Grade 5 and thereafter joined St. Aloysius’ Seminary, Borella on January 13, 1962 to prepare himself for the priesthood. Then, he entered the Intermediate Seminary, Haputale in 1971 and the National Seminary, Ampitiya in 1973 for his studies in Philosophy and Theology.

Priesthood

He was ordained a Priest on July 5, 1980 by the Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, the then Archbishop of Colombo.

He did his spell of parish work as an Assistant Priest at Dalugama and as the Parish Priest at Kurana, Thudella and Liyanagemulla. He left for Rome in 1986 for his higher studies, where he successfully completed Bachelor of Theology at the Urban University and Master of Arts (Theology) at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Archdiocesan appointments

He served as the Procurator General of the Archdiocese of Colombo from 1992 to 1998. He had a stint as the Archdiocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies as well from 1998 to 2001. He concurrently served as Administrator of the Archdiocesan Estates, Member of the Archdiocesan Curia, member of Archdiocesan Personnel Board, Member of Archdiocesan College of Consultants and Member of Archdiocesan Senate from 1996 to 2003.

National seminary

He was the Bursar at the National Seminary, Ampitiya from 1983 to 1991, besides serving as a Lecturer and Member of the academical staff. Later, he was appointed as the Director of the Philosophate at the National Seminary, Ampitiya in 2001 and served in the position until he was elevated to his Episcopal status.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Bishop Harold Anthony held an array of appointments in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka. In 2003, he was appointed the Chairman of the Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism. In 2004, he was appointed as Chairman of the Finance Committee and as Bishop in-Charge of Youth, S. V. P. and Legion of Mary. In 2005, he functioned as Secretary of the Tsunami Task Force. In 2006, he was appointed as Member of the Peace Task Force. Later, in 2007 he assumed duties as Chairman of Justice, Peace and Human Development as well as Chairman of Caritas Sri Lanka.

Silver Jubilee

His Lordship Harold is the 1st Bishop and 25th Priest of his native Parish of Pamunugama. His Silver Jubilee of the Sacerdotal Ordination was celebrated on July 5, 2005 in his native parish. The parishioners joined His Lordship as a family in celebrating the occasion and giving thanks to God for all the blessings bestowed on him during the 25 years of his priestly service in His vineyard.

Bishop Harold who always say to the priests, religious and lay faithful to, “Bloom where you are planted” will surely strive to shepherd his flock whilst building bridges of friendship with the diverse ethnic and religious communities in the Diocese of Kurunegala. His ability and keenness to establish tactful understanding will surely be and asset in the execution of the enormous task. Ad Multos Annos !