An estimated 300,000 Roman Catholics from around the country attended the Madhu festival, which ended yesterday, while two bishops presiding at the religious event called for the early resettlement of displaced persons.
Travel restrictions were lifted to allow pilgrims to gather in Mannar to participate in the annual feast, which was celebrated at Madhu church. This was the first Madhu feast since the area was liberated from the LTTE. Strict security measures were in place for the pilgrims, who came from all parts of the country, including, Ampara, Batticaloa, Matara, Galle, Ratnapura and Kandy.
In separate addresses, two bishops referred to those absent from the congregation. The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said: “This is a beautiful occasion, but there are some people who have not been able to come here. If they had come, this feast would have been much more beautiful, and an occasion of unity.”
The Bishop of Jaffna, Thomas Soundaranayagam, said: “There are a lot of pilgrims gathered here from all parts, but the people of this area are not here. Where are they? They are all in refugee camps.”
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| Hundreds filled Madhu church and premises to celebrate Mass. |
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| Thousands of Catholics converged on Madhu last week. |
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| Mannar residents invite the hungry to a ‘manioc dansela’. |
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| Priest distributes communion to the faithful at the Madhu shrine. |
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| Devotees pray for family members. |
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