To the Marists of Champagnat in Sri Lanka

 PDF: English | Español | Français |  Português

April 24, 2019

Message from the Superior General and his Council to the Marists of Champagnat in Sri Lanka  

At this time when you are grieving over the terrible attacks of last Easter Sunday, 21st April 2019, on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, I want to express in the name of the Institute and the General Council, our profound sadness, consternation and sorrow for these totally unjust and inhuman acts of violence which we vigorously condemn.

We want to express our solidarity towards Brother Mervyn Perera, Provincial, and the whole Church of Sri Lanka, along with all men and women of good will of whatever faith or ideology. We are deeply sorry to learn that there are three students and some parents and alumni of our own schools, Maris Stella Negombo and Maris Stella Thimbirigaskatuwa, who have lost their cherished and irreplaceable lives.  We extend our condolences and prayers to their families, to those of all the others who were killed or wounded, and to the whole people of Sri Lanka.

In like manner, we want to reaffirm our faith in seeking peaceful solutions and in the power of love as the Christian way and the only and basic response to build lasting peace and justice.

We ask all the Marists of the world, in all their different networks, to unite with us in prayer, passing on this message, and making some gesture of solidarity, for the eternal rest of those of our Marist community and other innocent victims who died, for the recovery of those wounded, for the consolation of all their families and friends, and for stable and enduring peace in your beloved country.

With affection,  

Br. Ernesto Sánchez, SG, and the General Council