Keep Madhu shrine outside line of fire, clerics appeal

Fasting and prayer ceremonies were observed on Friday at St. Sebastian Cathedral in Mannar and other religious venues around the country. Participants have called for permanent peace and the protection of the shrine of Our Lady of Madhu and all religious shrines from military activity and a military presence.

The Mannar ceremony was organised by the Mannar Diocesan Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue. Priests of all faiths took part in the prayers, at which the Vicar General, Rt. Rev. Fr Victor Soosai presided, the organisers said.

Citizens’ Committee chairman Rev. Fr. Xavier Croos has made a formal appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to respect the Madhu shrine area and keep it off limits to all military operations.

Meanwhile, the Mannar Diocesan Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue has written to the President asking that the sacredness of the Madhu Shrine, and all places of religious worship, be respected, and that they not be used for military and political purposes.

The letter, signed by a Hindu kurukkal, a Muslim maulavi and a Roman Catholic priest, said the statue of Our Lady of Madhu has been venerated across the country by thousands of people, regardless of their faith, community or language.

“Our Lady of Madhu continues to offer her grace and protection to all those who come to her,” the letter stated. “All these years, the shrine has been spared from being used for military and political purposes, and the sacredness of the Madhu Shrine was maintained even during the years of war.”

The letter added that the Catholic Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, has appealed to the government and the LTTE to declare the area a peace zone so the shrine can continue to serve as a place of religious worship and humanitarian refuge.

“As religious leaders we earnestly call on both the President and the LTTE leader to heed this appeal without any further delay,” the organisation said.