In a poignant announcement, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, revealed the decision to move towards declaring all 273 people, including 11 Indians, killed in the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings as saints. This significant step is set to take place on the fifth anniversary of the tragic event, April 21, 2024.
The cardinal explained that the process of declaring someone a saint requires a five-year period following their sacrifice. The victims of the Easter Sunday bombings, orchestrated by nine suicide bombers linked to the local extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) associated with ISIS, will be honored for their faith and sacrifice.
On April 21, 2019, the coordinated attacks targeted three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, leaving a devastating impact on the nation. Cardinal Ranjith emphasized that those who lost their lives in the churches did so because of their unwavering belief in Christ.
The move towards sainthood for the Easter Sunday victims reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to commemorating the lives lost and recognizing the profound impact of the tragedy. As April 21 approaches, preparations are underway to mark this solemn occasion and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the name of their faith.