The Vatican will formally declare Easter carnage victims as ‘Heroes of Faith’ on Monday (21), Director of Communications for the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. Jude Chrysantha said.
He said that the declaration will be read aloud by Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, during a solemn ceremony at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya—one of the main sites of the deadly attacks.
The title ‘Heroes of Faith’ is bestowed by the Catholic Church on individuals who have sacrificed their lives for their Christian beliefs. In this case, the recognition honours the men, women, and children who lost their lives while attending Easter Mass on April 21, 2019, when a series of coordinated bombings targeted churches and hotels across the country, killing over 250 people and injuring hundreds more.
“This recognition acknowledges them as those who gave their lives for Jesus Christ,” said Fr. Chrysantha.
In addition to the Vatican declaration, Cardinal Ranjith is expected to make a statement on the Church’s position regarding the government’s actions—or lack thereof—in uncovering the truth behind the attacks, as of April 21, six years after the tragedy.
A series of commemorative events have been planned for the day. A prayer procession will begin at 7:00 am from St. Lucia’s Cathedral, in Kotahena, and proceed to St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, another site targeted in the bombings. A remembrance ceremony is scheduled at the shrine at 8:30 am, with participation from members of the diplomatic corps.
Later in the day, a separate commemoration will be held at St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, where families of the victims, clergy, and faithful will gather to honour the memory of those lost and reflect on the path toward justice and healing.
