Masses have once again been cancelled across Sri Lanka this weekend and Catholic churches and schools closed “until further notice” due to the on-going threat of terrorist attacks.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith made the announcement today in letter to church officials in Sri Lanka that was posted on social media.
Cardinal Ranjith said he had received “foreign information” that there would be further attempts this week to attack a church and a Catholic institution.
This will be the second weekend that Masses have been cancelled following the Easter Sunday bombings which killed 257 people and injured 500.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks and multiple arrests have been made but Sri Lankan officials have warned that some suspects are still at large.
Cardinal Ranjith has criticised the Sri Lankan government for ignoring intelligence advice prior to the Easter Sunday bombings that attacks were imminent. He said the lack of action taken by the government in light of the advice as “absolutely unacceptable.”
Last weekend Cardinal Ranjith celebrated a televised Mass at his residence. In his homily, he spoke of the mercy of God saying, “The finest expression of God’s love is God’s mercy. Therefore we must love and respect each other.”
“We feel truly sorry for all the families that have lost their loved ones and their dear ones. And I ask you dear brothers and sisters, please pray for them. They were the treasure of our lives, of our faith, or our existence. We pray for them; Lord receive them into your care and your love.”