It is an honor to feature Fr. Vimal Thirimanna as a theologian, author, speaker, and presenter of the Catholic Synod and thank you for your incredible, informative speeches over the internet and facebook. You tried to discuss queries of Synodality effectively with Bp Raymond Wicramasinghe of Galle Diocese, but he was not direct in explaining and I got the impression that Catholic Church in Sri Lanka remains stuck in outdated practices and traditions to this day. I'm not sure Bp Wickremasinghe has ever pierced the layers of his own diocesan bureaucracy, which in most dioceses have been managed by Clergy for many years. As Fr. Vimal explained that every Bishop has the right of proposal and final approval and a group of priests who advise bishops who head dioceses, as well as a separate priests’ council but no laypeople, no laywomen. It is a fact, that all initiatives are taken and carried out by Clergy of the diocese. The aim of synodal process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Simply gathering people together in councils does not automatically guarantee synodality. ALL bishops must risk transparency, allowing the laity to speak freely, even if it means hearing criticism of their decisions. Every Bishop MUST make sure that his Office staff is open to the process.
*[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the slave of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet.* (Al-Quran 19:30) *[Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path."* (Al-Quran 19:36)
It is an honor to feature Fr. Vimal Thirimanna as a theologian, author, speaker, and presenter of the Catholic Synod and thank you for your incredible, informative speeches over the internet and facebook. You tried to discuss queries of Synodality effectively with Bp Raymond Wicramasinghe of Galle Diocese, but he was not direct in explaining and I got the impression that Catholic Church in Sri Lanka remains stuck in outdated practices and traditions to this day. I'm not sure Bp Wickremasinghe has ever pierced the layers of his own diocesan bureaucracy, which in most dioceses have been managed by Clergy for many years.
As Fr. Vimal explained that every Bishop has the right of proposal and final approval and a group of priests who advise bishops who head dioceses, as well as a separate priests’ council but no laypeople, no laywomen. It is a fact, that all initiatives are taken and carried out by Clergy of the diocese.
The aim of synodal process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the beautiful island of Sri Lanka.
Simply gathering people together in councils does not automatically guarantee synodality. ALL bishops must risk transparency, allowing the laity to speak freely, even if it means hearing criticism of their decisions. Every Bishop MUST make sure that his Office staff is open to the process.
*[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the slave of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet.*
(Al-Quran 19:30)
*[Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path."*
(Al-Quran 19:36)