A tribute to a colossus - Rt. Revd. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando

Rt. Revd. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando bid adieu to the Catholic community of the Diocese of Chilaw after a long and fruitful episcopate of 34 years and handed over the shepherd's staff to Rt. Revd. Dr. Valence Mendis yesterday. The Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination too was celebrated on this day.

An inspiring leader, erudite speaker, voice of the voice-less, protector of the environment, fighter against injustice and corruption, he was, above all the 'good shepherd' (in true biblical sense) of the Catholic community of the Diocese of Chilaw. Having been entrusted St. Aloysius' Minor Seminary in 1943 and St. Bernard's Major Seminary in 1951, he was sent by the then Archbishop, Thomas Cooray to Rome to pursue his priestly studies. He was ordained in Rome on December 22, 1956 at the age of 25. Within a very short period of nine years he was ordained the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo in 1965. He was appointed the Coadjutor Bishop of Chilaw in 1972, and thereafter took over the reins of the Diocese in December 1972 from the eminent scholar Rt. Revd. Dr. Edmund Peiris. His appointment to the episcopate at the young age of 34, is a record for Sri Lanka and it is most unlikely that it will ever be broken. This is his 41st year as a bishop. The figure 40 in biblical sense denotes fulness and completeness. The Diocese of Chilaw comprised the Puttalam and Kurunegala districts of the North Western Province. What was foremost in his mind was neither the geographical size of the diocese nor the number of Catholics, but the spiritual nourishment and welfare of his flock. Having realised the spiritual needs of his people scattered throughout the large expanse of land in these two districts, he proposed the erection of a new diocese for the district of Kurunegala. Thus the new Diocese of Kurunegala with Bishop Raymond Peiris as its first Bishop was erected in 1987. The strong campaign he carried out in the 1980s against the establishment of an extravagant complex to set up the Voice of America relay station at Iranawila compelled the then government and the VOA to re-think and tone down their plans drastically. Consequently a large extent of land belonging to the poor fisher folk of the area was saved.

His belief in the importance of the media in making the people aware of Jesus Christ and the mission of His Church resulted in setting up "SUDASUNA" way back in 1978. Over the years it has grown to become a fully fledged Catholic Media Centre.

The calm and serene Retreat Centre "SANHINDIYAWA" constructed in Chilaw in 2000 overlooking the Deduru Oya to enable priests, the religious as well as lay people to hold seminars as well as to conduct spiritual retreats is his brainchild.

Having realised the drastic consequences to the environment as well as to the poor folk living in Norachcholai and its neighbouring villages, coupled with threats to the security of the area and the probable harm to the hallowed shrine of St. Anne at Talawila, Bishop Frank Marcus gave tremendous leadership to those who opposed the setting up of the coal power plant. Only time will confirm how truly prophetic were his words of caution.

The Anti-conversion Bill presented in Parliament in May 2004 was another opportunity for Bishop Frank Marcus to show his mettle. He boldly petitioned the Supreme Court against the provisions of this bill and the judgement delivered vindicated his stand. The last but not the least major contribution I wish to highlight is the very meaningful and farsighted step he took in naming and ordaining his successor nearly two years before his date of retirement which has paved the way for a perfect "baton change".