Vatican honors 167 Sri Lankan bombing victims as witnesses of faith

In Sri Lanka, a significant event occurred six years ago during Easter Sunday when a series of bombings targeted Christian places of worship and luxury hotels. On April 21, 2019, over 260 people, including 42 foreigners, were killed in these coordinated suicide attacks inspired by the Islamic State. Many were Catholics attending mass at the targeted churches, with St. Anthony's in Colombo and St. Sebastian's in Negombo being the most affected. The bombings marked a tragic resurgence of violence in Sri Lanka, a nation that had seen relative peace following the end of a civil war in 2009. In a recent announcement, Sri Lanka's Catholic church revealed that the Vatican has recognized 167 of the victims as witnesses of faith. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo emphasized that these individuals were acknowledged due to their martyrdom amidst violent opposition to their faith, which he referred to as 'odium fidei,' or hatred of the faith. In addition to the Catholics, seven victims of other faiths were also mentioned respectfully in the memorial. This recognition comes as part of a broader initiative by the Vatican, formalized by Pope Francis in 2023, aimed at honoring those who sacrificed their lives for their beliefs. The sixth anniversary of the bombings was commemorated at St. Anthony's Church with a vigil attended by hundreds, including representatives from various religious communities in Sri Lanka. This event highlighted the ongoing grief of the families affected and the lingering questions surrounding the investigations into the attacks. Following the bombings, there were extensive criticisms aimed at the government for its handling of intelligence warnings that could have potentially prevented the tragedy. Families of the victims and members of the minority Christian community have voiced frustration over the slow pace of justice. Recent political developments have reignited discussions about the bombings, with the new government reopening investigations. Allegations have surfaced regarding a potential cover-up by the previous administration, as well as accusations leading to the possibility that the attacks were part of a conspiracy for political gain. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is committed to ensuring justice is served and that accountability, transparency, and genuine justice are priorities in honoring the victims' memory.