"Well done, good and faithful servant" His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at the Requiem Mass of Archbishop Oswald Gomis Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo
His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo was
called to eternal rest on the 3rd of February at the age of 90. The
Requiem Mass was celebrated today (6th) at St. Lucia’s Cathedral,
Colombo by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith with Apostolic Nuncio in Sri Lanka His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe, Auxiliary Bishops; Rt. Rev. Dr.
Maxwell Silva, Rt. Rev. Dr. J. D. Anthony Jayakody, Rt. Rev. Dr. Anton Ranjith
and the Bishops of other dioceses, priests, and nuns. A multitude of devotees gathered at the cathedral to pay last respect for His Grace. The foreign
delegates and leaders of the country participated in the Mass.
The messages of condolences were read after the Holy Mass. His
Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe presented the messages sent by Pope
Francis and Luis Antonio Gokim Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for
Evangelization. The Sinhala and Tamil translations were presented by Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva and Rt. Rev. Dr. Anton Ranjith. Rev. Fr. William Evans
Liyanarachchi, Rector of St. Aloysius’ Seminary, then presented the condolence message on behalf of the presbyterium of the Archdiocese of Colombo. In his
message, he mentioned the motto selected at his Episcopal Ordination as a
Bishop in 1968 i.e. “To announce the works of God…” which he reflected
throughout his life. Ven. Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thero, chief
incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya and the Chancellor of the
University of Kelaniya also presented the condolence message during the
service. The condolence messages of Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and Hon. Sajith Premadasa, MP, Leader
of the Opposition of Sri Lanka was also presented. The Vote of thanks was given
by one of the family members of His Grace.
Photos by Akila Peiris
Report by Waruni Ranasinghe
Media Unit, Aquinas College
06.02.2023
