From Messainlatino:Mons. Ranjith: non mi pento delle mie espressioni forti sulla situazione liturgica
From Rome: GIANNI CARDINALE
“I am proud that papa Benedict has chosen me to be the new archbishop of Colombo, the capital of my native country, and in particular that he is doing it in this moment of its history. As I was also proud when three and a half years ago I was called here to Rome to be his collaborator in the Roman Curia in the field of liturgy, which is so close to his heart.”
“I am proud that papa Benedict has chosen me to be the new archbishop of Colombo, the capital of my native country, and in particular that he is doing it in this moment of its history. As I was also proud when three and a half years ago I was called here to Rome to be his collaborator in the Roman Curia in the field of liturgy, which is so close to his heart.”
Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don received with great serenity the nomination, published on June 16, to occupy the post as archbishop of Colombo in Sri Lanka. For Ranjith this means a return to the origins. On July 10 Benedict XVI received him in audience. Today (August 6) he takes charge of the diocese. Avvenire interviewed him on the evening before his departure for Colombo.
Your Excellency, the nomination to the post as Archbishop of Colombo comes at a delicate moment in the history of your country...
Yes, as a matter of fact, the conflict which the country has suffered for around thirty years has hardly been concluded. Because of the intransigence showed by the rebels and the difficulty in finding an acceptable solution for the one and the other party, the Government had taken the decision to end the matter once and for all by liberating the territories occupied by the Tamil rebels from their control. The country was tired of this situation and could not permit a kind of illegitimate parallel “government” in one region of itself. I therefore understand the euphoria and the pride which the government, the President and the country showed. They had the feeling that a tragic period had been finished once and for all. But at the same time everyone understands that this does not necessarily mean that we are in for a genuine and enduring peace. It is one thing to win a war, another to win over hearts. To succeed in doing so, it is necessary to try to reconstruct the harmony between the two ethnic groups, the Singhalese and the Tamil.
You have known the Singhalese president for a long time and your relations are those of reciprocal esteem …
This is true and I believe that he needs the support and spiritual guidance that he may get from the representatives of various religions in order to carry out this cultural change, which will make it possible for various ethnic and religious groups to live together in a new society. There are various groups of fundamentalists who do not wish to have a multicultural society. These are quite powerful and also well organized.
This is true and I believe that he needs the support and spiritual guidance that he may get from the representatives of various religions in order to carry out this cultural change, which will make it possible for various ethnic and religious groups to live together in a new society. There are various groups of fundamentalists who do not wish to have a multicultural society. These are quite powerful and also well organized.
What role may the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka play in the process of pacification which you are describing?
Because of its presence, on one hand, among on the the Singhalese majority of the population – which is predominantly Buddhist – and on the other hand also among the Tamil minority – most of which embraces the Hindu religion, the Church already plays an important role. This does not mean that the conflict between Singhalese and Tamil is a conflict of a religious nature, but undoubtedly the religious element still plays an important role. This division leads to a different challenge for the religions themselves: the challenge of overcoming ethnic barriers. The Church has succeeded better in this respect and therefore it can help, maybe it can act as an inter-ethnic bridge.
Because of its presence, on one hand, among on the the Singhalese majority of the population – which is predominantly Buddhist – and on the other hand also among the Tamil minority – most of which embraces the Hindu religion, the Church already plays an important role. This does not mean that the conflict between Singhalese and Tamil is a conflict of a religious nature, but undoubtedly the religious element still plays an important role. This division leads to a different challenge for the religions themselves: the challenge of overcoming ethnic barriers. The Church has succeeded better in this respect and therefore it can help, maybe it can act as an inter-ethnic bridge.
Is this role of the Church as a mediator something that is appreciated by the civil authorities?
Yes, the political powers have always appreciated the peacemaking role of the Catholic Church.
Yes, the political powers have always appreciated the peacemaking role of the Catholic Church.
And what about the religious powers?
Normally even the Hindu and Buddhist religious leaders seem to appreciate the peacemaking and mediatory work we are doing. I do not wish to hide, however, that there are some sectors within the Buddhist intelligentsia that look at us with suspicion. Those are the same sectors that advocated for a law that would forbid conversions. They would not like to see our role as mediator between the two ethnic groups lead to an increased recognition of the Catholic Church.
Normally even the Hindu and Buddhist religious leaders seem to appreciate the peacemaking and mediatory work we are doing. I do not wish to hide, however, that there are some sectors within the Buddhist intelligentsia that look at us with suspicion. Those are the same sectors that advocated for a law that would forbid conversions. They would not like to see our role as mediator between the two ethnic groups lead to an increased recognition of the Catholic Church.
Your Excellency, after three and a half years you now leave the position of Secretary of the Congregation for the Divine worship...
I remain deeply grateful to the Pope that he called me to Rome to collaborate with him in such a decisive field as the liturgy. In those years I had the joy of being closely present at the action of the Pope and to be near also to his insistence to renew the Church which is intimately associated with the renewal of the liturgical life.
How did you find your work within the Congregation?
I had the occasion to work with two cardinals – at first with Francis Arinze and then for a few months with Antonio Canizares Llovera– both were really up to the situation. In those few years I had tried to bring forward those aspects of the liturgy that had unfortunately been put aside despite these being among the most essential ones, as we may see also from the various written communications on the subject by the Pope. With respect of the future, I am therefore sure that with Cardinal Canizares the liturgy of the Church is in good hands.
I remain deeply grateful to the Pope that he called me to Rome to collaborate with him in such a decisive field as the liturgy. In those years I had the joy of being closely present at the action of the Pope and to be near also to his insistence to renew the Church which is intimately associated with the renewal of the liturgical life.
How did you find your work within the Congregation?
I had the occasion to work with two cardinals – at first with Francis Arinze and then for a few months with Antonio Canizares Llovera– both were really up to the situation. In those few years I had tried to bring forward those aspects of the liturgy that had unfortunately been put aside despite these being among the most essential ones, as we may see also from the various written communications on the subject by the Pope. With respect of the future, I am therefore sure that with Cardinal Canizares the liturgy of the Church is in good hands.
And in the Roman Curia?
As you know, all in all I have spent eight years in the service of the Holy See. This experience has enriched me immensely, has widened my horizons and made me taste the intimate mystery between the Church and the Lord and her sanctifying work in the middle of this mystery, which often is carried out in silence. And I have known the difficulties, the obstacles and different human views that also affect his disciples.
Did you ever repent any of the declarations which you used to make in the past and which may have seemed somewhat too critical of the actual situation of the liturgical life of the Church and perhaps a little too positive in respect of the traditionalist world and its predilection for what may be called the pre-conciliar rites?
Maybe I sometimes used a tone which was a little too hard, but surely, I do not repent of what I have said. The history and our Lord will be my judges.
After the Roman experience, what are your feelings now that you are returning to your country?
I am full of hope, because I believe that in the future the Catholic Church has a great mission in the whole world and in Asia in particular. And in this mission, which has been entrusted to us as the Church, the role of the Pope is fundamental. He is Peter and for us Catholics he is the Vicar of Christ. He represents for us the guide of Christ himself in the history, and his solicitude is the salvation of the world. That is the reason why the faithful, above all the ones with a simple heart, love the Pope. And it is with this humble certainty that I return joyfully to my country where the Catholics have always loved the Pope and prayed for him. And I hope to be able to welcome him there – if he would decide to make a pastoral journey to Asia.
As you know, all in all I have spent eight years in the service of the Holy See. This experience has enriched me immensely, has widened my horizons and made me taste the intimate mystery between the Church and the Lord and her sanctifying work in the middle of this mystery, which often is carried out in silence. And I have known the difficulties, the obstacles and different human views that also affect his disciples.
Did you ever repent any of the declarations which you used to make in the past and which may have seemed somewhat too critical of the actual situation of the liturgical life of the Church and perhaps a little too positive in respect of the traditionalist world and its predilection for what may be called the pre-conciliar rites?
Maybe I sometimes used a tone which was a little too hard, but surely, I do not repent of what I have said. The history and our Lord will be my judges.
After the Roman experience, what are your feelings now that you are returning to your country?
I am full of hope, because I believe that in the future the Catholic Church has a great mission in the whole world and in Asia in particular. And in this mission, which has been entrusted to us as the Church, the role of the Pope is fundamental. He is Peter and for us Catholics he is the Vicar of Christ. He represents for us the guide of Christ himself in the history, and his solicitude is the salvation of the world. That is the reason why the faithful, above all the ones with a simple heart, love the Pope. And it is with this humble certainty that I return joyfully to my country where the Catholics have always loved the Pope and prayed for him. And I hope to be able to welcome him there – if he would decide to make a pastoral journey to Asia.
