A small village in eastern Sri Lanka has held likely the first Mass since Catholic leaders closed all their churches for fear of more attacks after the Easter suicide bombings that killed over 250 people. By jongambrellAP.
A soldier stands guard amid Catholics attending Mass outside St. Joseph's church in Thannamunai, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. This small village in eastern Sri Lanka has held likely the first Mass since Catholic leaders closed all their churches for fear of more attacks after the Easter suicide bombings that killed over 250 people.
“People wanted to celebrate Mass, they wanted to participate in this, but they — even myself — were afraid,” Father Norton Johnson told Associated Press journalists who witnessed the Mass. “However, security personnel gave us good protection.” Catholic leaders then closed all their churches. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, celebrated Mass this past Sunday at his residence, with the country’s leaders attending. The faithful prayed on their knees at home, watching his homily in a televised broadcast.
Security personnel remained tense, in part because Thannamunai is wedged between Muslim neighborhoods and authorities believe militants remain at large. The alleged mastermind of the Easter bombings also preached a violent interpretation of the Quran nearby, promising heaven to those who killed nonbelievers.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Catholic churches suspend services across country - Sri Lanka attacksSri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says the country's security forces will be completely reorganised 'within a week.'
Read more »
The Latest: Some mosques hold Friday prayers despite warningCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Latest on the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka (all times local): 12:20 p.m. Some mosques in Sri Lanka are holding communal Friday prayers despite the...
Read more »
The Latest: US says it had no prior info on Sri Lanka attackCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Latest on the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka (all times local): 10:45 a.m. The U.S. ambassador says America had 'no prior knowledge' of a threat in Sri Lanka...
Read more »
Churches fall silent in Sri Lanka a week after attacksChurches across Sri Lanka suspended Sunday mass as security concerns remained hi...
Read more »
The Latest: Sri Lanka president dismisses security officialsCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Latest on the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka (all times local): 4:30 p.m. Sri Lanka's president has asked for the resignations of the defense secretary and...
Read more »
The Latest: IS group claims Sri Lanka Easter attacksIS group claims Sri Lanka Easter attacks. The group, which has lost all the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria, has made a series of unsupported and opportunistic claims of responsibility.
Read more »