Easter Sunday carnage: Pope pledges solidarity with Cardinal seeking justice

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on Saturday said that His Holiness Pope Francis had written to him supporting his attempts to seek justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

He revealed this during a discussion with Sri Lankans living in Europe via zoom to brief them on the investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks and the actions they were expecting to take in the future.

Cardinal Ranjith said that the Holy Father Pope Francis had written the letter, dated 19th September, in his own handwriting and in response to a letter sent by him previously.

The Archbishop also read out the following excerpts from the letter, which he said he had translated from Italian:

“Dear Brother,

Cardinal Bagnasco has handed over to me your letter of last 24th August, in which you explained to me the ugly situation and that the reality of the 21st April 2019 remains without clarity to the public. Also, in the last few days a message has arrived from the nunciature in which the same facts were recounted.

Eminence, this situation makes me very sad. I promise to pray more and remain ready to do whatever you consider opportune. Tomorrow I will speak with the Secretary of State about it.

I remember how in those days you were so courageous as to prevent any vengeance by the Christians and you went with the Imam of the Islamic community to meet them so that they may witness the friendship among yourselves. I do not forget that example of a Shepherd.

Please count on me and indicate what would be best to be done from here.”