Lay Off The Bishop, Sri Lanka Parliamentarian Pleads

Over 5,000 people attended a public show of support for Bishop Rayappu Joseph from the northern Mannar diocese of Sri Lanka, as an opposition member of the parliament was putting pressure on the government to stop harassing the bishop, saying it has led to threats being made against him.

In a letter sent to Pope Benedict XVI on June 13, Jayalath Jayawardena said the bishop is coming under increasing attack by several government ministers and the media.

“Use your good offices to dialogue with the Sri Lankan government to ensure his safety, so he can continue his mission without threats, intimidation and false allegations,” the United National Party parliamentary member told the pope in his letter.

The bishop is under fire after calling for an independent international body to investigate allegations of war crimes committed by the government in a letter sent to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier this year.

Accusations against the bishop claim that he wants to be the cardinal of Tamil Eelam (Tamil diaspora) and is involved in a conspiracy against the government, which is supported by international non-government organisations.

They are also accusing him of disturbing the harmony between the island nation’s Muslim and Tamil communities.

“Government ministers have called for his arrest and prosecution over the letter and a statement he made to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission,” Jayawardana said.

“The bishop was questioned by intelligence officers last month. At no time has the bishop ever called for a separate country or a renewed armed struggle,” Jayawardena stressed, adding, “He had also condemned attacks on journalists and human rights defenders.”

Pope Benedict and the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had met at the Vatican a week before Jayawardana penned his letter.

It is not known whether the situation regarding Bishop Joseph was discussed when the two men met.

Meanwhile, Father Jayabalan Croos, from the diocese of Mannar, expressed his appreciation for the large show of support for his bishop.

Mashal Rajanayagam, who attended a recent prayer service for Bishop Joseph, condemned the attacks being made upon him.

“The bishop for many years has been a voice for the voiceless and for victims of war. He is also one of the most prominent spokespersons on matters of social justice, human rights, peace and reconciliation,” he said.