Respect for one another’s religion and race should be the bedrock on which we could re-build our wounded land. This is our urgent task..!!!

Stop ridiculing other religions

I refer to the piece by Mr. Gamini Seneviratne in the Sunday Island of July 26th 2009, intended to be in response to a contribution by Prof. Carlo Fonseka in support of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke’s advocacy for the implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

As an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church and on behalf of my fellow Catholics, I express my utter consternation as well as displeasure at Mr. Seneviratne’s vile and wild derogatory remarks made therein against the Church. Referring to those who oppose his views, he castigates them by unnecessarily dragging the Church in. He says "They are servitors of such special interests as are embodied in the obscurantist outfits such as Roman Catholic Church and RAW".

I wonder whether Mr. Seneviratne used the adjective "obscurantist" without knowing its precise meaning. An "obscurantist", according to the Oxford dictionary, is one who labours to prevent enlightenment, inquiry or reform. If such is the case of his ignorance, let me urge him to use the dictionary before he employs uncommon words, more so if he is seeking to demonstrate his sagacity.

On the other hand, if he did so consciously, he is simply exhibiting his utterly prejudiced and deeply distorted mind-set that is unable to distinguish between a 2000 year old world religion founded by Jesus Christ and the spy outfit - RAW of modern India.

To add insult to injury, he flings another swipe by demeaning the centuries old Catholic congregation - the society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, through his choicest words written thus; "Through what is commonly referred to as Jesuitical casuistry". Common or uncommon, it has no meaning other than to inflict a slap on the face of the Jesuit congregation.

Right now, we are at the crossroads of our country’s history, already soaked in blood and tears. Common sense dictates that we cannot afford to trade insults against one another’s religion, race or culture. On the other hand we need to appreciate, indeed celebrate, unity in diversity. As a Catholic, I have grown to learn from the noble teachings of the Buddha and emulate the lives of genuine Buddhists. The time is right for us to cease instigating religious discord and communal antagonisms and encourage universal brotherhood and harmony.

Respect for one another’s religion and race should be the bedrock on which we could re-build our wounded land. This is our urgent task, with or without the 13th or any other Amendment.


Francis D’ Almeida,
Colombo 15.



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