Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando:

Farewell, beloved Shepherd!

by Commodore Shemal FERNANDO (RSP, USP, MSc)

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando who remained the most senior Bishop in the Catholic hierarchy of Sri Lanka having been raised to the dignity of a prince of the Church in 1965 has been called to his Eternal Rest by the Heavenly Father. Bishop Fernando, who passed away peacefully on August 24 was buried at Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chilaw on August 27.

At the age of 11, he was beckoned by God to His vineyard and at the age of 25, he was one of the youngest ever to receive the sacerdotal sacrament in Sri Lanka. After just 8 years of his taking Holy Orders, at the age of 34, the Holy See raised him to become the youngest ever Sri Lankan to be elevated to the exalted position of a Catholic Bishop.

In 2006, we celebrated a series of jubilees in the life of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando - 33 years as the Shepherd of the Diocese of Chilaw, 41 years as a Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, 50 years as a priest and 75 years of rich and fruitful life. Only a very few can count such rare accomplishments in priesthood.

Bishop Frank Marcus is one of those orthodox prelates who amidst all turmoil of modernism stood the test of time faithfully in the service of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Prelates of his sanctity, repute, vision and ability are hard to come by this age of transition.

Sri Lankans all over the country will bear testimony to his great service to Mother Lanka.

It is no exaggeration to say that Christ-like humility and simplicity radiated from his cherubic countenance. Careless of self and riches, he was contended with the bare essentials. One of the remarkable traits in Bishop Frank Marcus is that he was accessible to the common man always.

An able preacher, eloquent orator who kept the audience spellbound, Bishop Frank Marcus always had a special care and attention to the most important sanctuary of the Diocese - St. Anne's shrine in Talawila. The Catholic piety in Sri Lanka who had the privilege to listen to his stentorian voice and masterly sermons and homilies will certainly have nostalgic memories of this Supreme Pastor.

Ever since I first met him as a teenager, Bishop Frank Marcus had been a beacon of inspiration and a true shepherd. In fact his encouraging words having read my maiden article, "All Roads Lead to Talavila Today" published in 1987, inspired me to continue in my endeavour at chronicling on events of importance up till now. He had a sharp memory. Once my four children had travelled with him from Rome and whenever we met him, he astonished me and my wife by remembering their names and ages. We will cherish the nostalgic memories of our intimate association with him and in particular our numerous visits to "Bethany", where he spent last two years of his retired life striving round the clock to complete his publications meant to strengthen the spiritual resolve of the priests.

His invaluable books as well as inspiring CDs that I received as gifts from his blessed hands will adorn a special place among my collections.

Birth and priesthood

Bishop Frank Marcus was born as the fourth child of a family of seven children on October 19, 1931 in Negombo, better known as "Little Rome" due to the courage, perseverance and fortitude of its predominant Catholic community. His parents were late Jasinthu Liyanage Elaris Fernando and late Mrs. Mihindukulasuriya Mary Bridget Fernando, nee Pinto.

Negombo, a steadfast Catholic stronghold for centuries has produced churchmen in the calibre of late Cardinal Benjamin Thomas Cooray, Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando (Emeritus Archbishop of Colombo), late Bishop Anthony de Saram (Bishop of Galle), late Bishop Edmund Joseph Fernando (Bishop of Badulla) apart from Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando to steer the Roman Catholic Church in this country during the last 60 years.

Bishop Frank Marcus had his education at Katuwapitiya Boys' School and Maris Stella College in Negombo. On July 19, 1943 he joined St. Aloysius' Seminary in Borella and in 1951 entered St. Bernard's Major Seminary in Borella. On December 22, 1956, he was ordained a priest by the Archbishop Sigismondi of Propaganda College in Rome and after completion of his studies he returned to Sri Lanka in 1957.

His first priestly appointment was to the tutorial staff of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya. In 1960, he was made the editor of the Catholic weekly, "Gnanartha Pradeepaya" during one of the most critical periods of the church and he admirably handled the task. During this time he also functioned as the Rector of St. Aloysius' Seminary and served as a member of the Archdiocesan Council.

Appointment as Bishop

On July 24, 1965, the Holy See appointed Bishop Frank Marcus as Auxiliary to His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Colombo. It was in the same year that the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Edmund Pieris, the first Bishop of Chilaw who brought about a renaissance in the sphere of Catholic cultural activity celebrated his silver jubilee as a Bishop. On August 19, 1965 Bishop Frank Marcus was consecrated a Bishop.

On June 8, 1968 Bishop Frank Marcus was appointed by Rome as the Coadjutor Bishop of Chilaw with the right of succession.

He had the good fortune of associating and collaborating with the eminent scholar, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edmund Peiris for four years. When Bishop Edmund Pieris retired on December 27, 1972 at the age of 75, Bishop Frank Marcus was enthroned as the Bishop of Chilaw.

High academic achievements, depth of learning, eloquence and faith in God made him a worthy successor to Bishop Edmund Peiris.

He combined the twin abilities of writer and preacher. His printed books, numerous informative leaflets and religious cassettes were of much benefit to devotees of all age groups.

Bishop Frank Marcus continued the trends set in motion by his predecessor, the late Bishop Edmund Pieris with even more enthusiasm and vigour. The Chilaw Diocese Cultural Committee headed by him has fetched and revived many traditional cultural forms and presented them to suit modern standards, times and conditions.

Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando's renowned brainchild, "Sudasuna" is a fully-fledged Catholic Centre that caters to all aspects of the media. It has the modern equipment for sound recording and video registering apart from a press and a mobile library. It has released many cassettes containing hymns and songs of late Fr. Jacome Gonsalvez, "Pasan" and popular hymns that are in use in church services.

"Sudasuna" publishes a quarterly magazine called "Sathmaga" which is of a good standard and affords opportunities for the youngsters in the diocese to use their latent talents. Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando appreciates research and has undertaken to publish work by priests in the Diocese of Chilaw.

Bishop Frank Marcus believes in simple ways and shuns pomp, glory and flamboyance. He has set up a lay Apostolic movement, "Nihanda Seva" in the Diocese in which he serves in silence.

During his remarkable period of service, he made a valiant effort to bring forth religious and cultural values so as to effect a spiritual and moral uplift in the society.

Now Catholic rituals are performed in vernacular and there is re-orientation in Church structure and organizations. Catholics now acknowledge the spiritual and moral values found in other religions and in their culture. Bishop Frank Marcus has served as the Secretary to the National Synod to implement the directions of Vatican Council II and possesses a thorough knowledge of the changes envisaged in the Church.

His popularity can be inferred from the fact that he was elected by his colleagues thrice as the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference.

His praiseworthy and effective performance brought so many benefits to the beloved people of Sri Lanka, and indeed to the whole Catholic Episcopate. He served in that capacity with great acceptance for ten years, from 1980 till 1989.

We hope and pray that the Christ, who called this humble and simple shepherd who succeeded in infusing real Christian Faith in many thousands in Sri Lanka welcome him to the Heaven and present him to God the Most High!