167 Easter Sunday attack victims included in Catalogue of Witnesses of the Faith
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has announced the official proclamation from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints regarding the inclusion of the people of the Catholic faith who were victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in the Catalogue of Witnesses of the Faith.
“Proclamation of the Official Announcement of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints about the catalogue of the Witnesses Of The Faith. His Eminence Marcello Cardinal Semeraro, the prefect Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican, has communicated to me by letter dated 21st of November 2024, that the names of the 167 Catholics who lost their lives in the tragic attacks on April 21st, 2019 in the Catholic Churches of St. Anthony’s Kochchikade and St. Sebastian’s Katuwapitiya have been included in the Catalogue of the Witnesses of the Faith, in its order book, considering the context of their heroism which includes historical, social, and religious elements of heroism. Additionally, the seven members of other faiths who lost their lives on the same day are respectfully remembered. The catalogue contains the names of the faithful who shed their blood due to violent opposition to their faith, motivated by the hate of the faith. The purpose of this is to propagate and preserve memories in perpetuity.”
Cardinal Ranjith emphasized the significance of this recognition, highlighting the heroism and sacrifice of the victims.
The inclusion in the Catalogue of Witnesses of the Faith serves to honor their memory and ensure that their legacy is preserved for future generations.
