The newly constructed St. Anthony’s Church in the Kachchativu Island was vested in the Diocese of Jaffna on Friday by the Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne.
The island has long been the pinnacle of reverence for Indian and Sri Lankan Catholic devotees.
The Governor of the Northern Province, Reginald Cooray, Bishop of Jaffna, Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam, Vicar General of the Diocese of Jaffna, Fr. Pathinathar Josephthas Jebaratnam, Parish Priest of Delft, Fr. A. J. Antony Jeyaranjan, Consul General of India in Jaffna, Shri A. Natarajan, District Secretary of Jaffna, N.Vethanayahan, Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva, senior officers and a large number of guests were present.
Over 82 devotees from India and about 100 devotees from Sri Lanka were also present.
Kachchativu is a small island (1.15 square kilometres), 10 km away from the Delft Island, with no human habitation. However, the fishing community has used this island over the years to mend their fishing gear after venturing out to sea.
The small church in the island had become their place of worship during such visits. The annual Kachchativu feast which is held in February is attended by a large number of Indian as well as Sri Lankan devotees with asense of spiritual attachment to this island.
After this year’s feast, on February 21, the Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese and Bishop of the same Diocese Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam indicated the need to construct a new Church on Kachchativu island before the feast in 2017.
Responding positively to the request of the Bishop, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne issued directives to a dedicated team of naval personnel to undertake the construction of the Church with immediate effect.
The construction work commenced under the supervision of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the Church was held on May 9, under the auspices of Jaffna Vicar General Fr. Josephthas Jebaratnam.
The Bishop of Jaffna, Dr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam said that the new Church could be declared as the ‘Church of Reconciliation’ as it is open for the reverence of all Sri Lankans from various walks of life.
Mementos were also exchanged to mark this occasion.