Sri Lankan church re-consecrated, cardinal challenges government

July 23, 2019 CNA Daily News News Briefs 0 Print

Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jul 23, 2019 / 08:01 pm (CNA).- One of the churches in Sri Lanka damaged in attacks on Easter was re-consecrated Sunday. During the ceremony, the Archbishop of Colombo criticized the government’s investigation of the attacks.

St. Sebastian’s parish in Negombo, nearly 25 miles north of Colombo, was re-consecrated July 21 by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

The church was one of several targeted in bombings across Sri Lanka April 21. The attacks killed more than 250, and wounded another 500.

During his homily, the cardinal encouraged Catholics and Muslims to work together to stem the spread of terrorism. He also challenged Sri Lankan officials to reconsider their political agenda, charging that there has been a failure in the investigation of the attacks.

“The executive and the legislature were locked in a power struggle. They did not care about the international conspiracy against the country,” Ranjith stated.

He said that “the selfish power hungry leaders did not worry about ordinary people… The leaders did not heed intelligence warnings… the security council did not meet since October because of the power struggle.”

Ranjith said that “the current leaders have failed. They have no backbone. They must leave the government and go home.”

“I have no faith in any of these committees and commissions of inquiry. These are election gimmicks. The leadership must allow someone else to run the country.”

He expressed fear the investigation “will be brushed under the carpet,” and complained that the government “had been informed about the attacks more than three times” by Indian officials.

At the re-consecration a monument inscribed with the names of 114 victims killed in the attack was unveiled.

The Sri Lankan navy helped to rebuild St. Sebastian’s.

The government has blamed the attacks on the jiihadist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath, whom the police say was responsible for the attacks. The Islamic State has also claimed responsibility, saying the local jihadists had pledged loyalty to the group.

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Filipino diocese mourns murdered priest

January 25, 2021 CNA Daily News 0

Malaybalay, Philippines, Jan 25, 2021 / 03:43 pm (CNA).- A Filipino diocese demanded justice and decried the murder of a priest who was shot and killed by an unknown perpetrator on Sunday.

The Diocese of Malaybalay issued a statement Jan. 25 expressing sorrow for the death of Father Rene Bayang Regalado, 42.

“The Diocese of Malaybalay with its Clergy, Consecrated Persons and Lay Faithful especially the Regalado Family in San Jose Parish, Sinayawan, Valencia City are deeply wounded and saddened with the news of the untimely passing to eternal life of one its clergy, Rev. Fr. Rene B. Regalado,” the statement reads.

“We express our deepest sympathy to his immediate family and supplicate to the Lord of Life that justice will be served to the perpetrators of this heinous crime without compromising the Lord’s gift of mercy. “

The priest’s body was discovered on a road near the Malaybalay Carmel Monastery in Patpat village. Another priest at the monastery called the police when he heard gunshots at around 7:30 pm Jan. 24.

Fr. Regalado was found by the police with a bruised left eye, multiple gunshot wounds to the head, and his left hand tied with a white shoelace.

Following the autopsy, the priest will be laid at the San Isidro Labrador Cathedral and then buried at Malaybalay Catholic cemetery on a date that will be decided between the family and the diocese.

“For those who want to visit him and his family at the Cathedral as soon as the wake is ready, we request that the pandemic protocols be strictly observed,” the statement reads.

According to the Rappler, PNP Bukidnon Chief Colonel Roel Lami-Ing said the potential motive behind the attack could be revenge for the priest’s activism or alleged rape.

He said Regalado was accused of rape in 2020 during his time as a parish priest in Lala, Lanao del Norte. The priest posted bail in December and Regalado returned to the monastery until his death on Sunday, he added.

The police also pointed to the priests’ activism against illegal logging operations and advocacy for farmers’ rights. Fr. Regalado endorsed organic farming initiatives and other agricultural causes through blogs.

According to the Inquirer, colleagues of Fr. Regalado said they last saw the priest when he left to pick up his bicycle helmet at another seminary fewer than five miles away. Fr. Virgilio Delfin, Malaybalay diocese official spokesperson, said the priest had been receiving death threats since December.

He said the priest actively served the community and was particularly involved with singing at the parish. He said the priest did not have any enemies in the community.

“As a priest, his work is to serve the community,” Fr. Delfin further added, according to the Inquirer. “Help us to seek justice, not only for all the priests but also for the family, who are grieving for their loss.”


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