Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith denounces distorting of religious teachings
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who is the head of Catholic Church in Sri Lanka yesterday denounced distorting of religious teachings stating that such distortions make people confused and helpless.
Cardinal Ranjith who spoke during the issuing of stamps to mark the centenary of the Holy Cross Church in Gampaha said the Catholic Church was against distortion of religions.
“As religious leaders we know how people have become helpless as a result of distorting religious teachings. The main religions of Sri Lanka including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity teach people to engage in good deeds only. This basic principle itself is enough for people of all religions. It should not be pushed aside,” the Cardinal said.
Further, he thanked President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for giving an assurance that Article 9 of the Constitution would not be changed. “The moral values of Sri Lankan people which had existed for more than 2,500 years should not be allowed to drift away like the Western world which is disconnecting from their faiths,” the Cardinal added.
The Chief Incumbent of the Sama Vihara Gampaha Venerable Tangalle Somasiri Thera and the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sudharmaramaya Venerable Thummodara Samithasoma Thera who held Anushasanas welcomed the efforts made by the Cardinal to bring about religious harmony.