Mass in Sri Lanka is cancelled indefinitely and churches closed.
The closures follow a series of church and hotel bombings at Easter which killed over 250 people.
The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, said church officials had seen a leaked security document describing Catholic churches and other denominations as a major target for attackers.
Besides closing the churches, he asked the faithful to stay home for their own safety.
“We don’t want repetitions,” Ranjith said.
Instead, Ranjith celebrated Sunday’s Mass from a small, private chapel at his home.
Several priests and political leaders, including President Maithripala Sirisena, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the Archbishop’s Mass which was broadcast via television to Catholics at home.
In his homily Randith said: “This is a time our hearts are tested by the great destruction that took place last Sunday. This is a time questions such as does God truly love us, does he have compassion towards us, can arise in human hearts.”
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Dozens of suspects have been arrested.
Source
- The Tablet
- Vatican News
- Image: NBC News
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