Church in war-torn Sri Lankan region provides hope for Wanni region

Published: 2005-12-29

KILINOCHCHI, Sri Lanka (CNS) -- The bullet-ridden chapel in front of St. Teresa Church symbolizes church efforts to instill hope into the lives of half a million people caught up in Sri Lanka's "uncleared areas." Kilinochchi is the capital of the "uncleared areas" -- a euphemism by the Sri Lankan government to refer to the Wanni region under control of Tamil rebels, or the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam. "This center was started by the church nearly 25 years ago, but we had to move our base five times," said Father Gnanaprakasam Peter, director of the Caritas-run Human Development Center for the Wanni region. "The army occupied the building for years. Until three years ago, this place was full of army bunkers and mines," Father Peter told Catholic News Service. "We are just completing the new building." After the Sri Lankan army was chased out by the Tamil rebels in 2000, the people started returning to church, said Father A. F. Bennette of St. Teresa.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .