Late Bishop's services recalled at funeral

[TamilNet, Monday, 28 April 2003, 20:06 GMT]
The late Bishop of Jaffna, Most Rev. Dr. Bastiampillai Deogupillai, fought until his last for the removal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, said the Bishop of the Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Kingsely Swampillai, in his eulogy delivered at the Holy Mass held at the Jaffna Mary's Cathedral Monday evening prior to the burial of the religious leader’s body.

The funeral of the late Bishop, Jaffna's twelfth, who passed away early morning on Friday was held Monday, and a large gathering attended the event, including Bishops of other parts of the country and government ministers who are Catholic, Mr.Tyronne Fernando and Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene. A special envoy of the Pope read out the Pope’s condolence message, Bishop’s House sources said.

Bishop Swampillai said that in 1988, when two Christian priests were arrested under the PTA act and the then government labeled them as terrorists, the late Bishop Deogupillai stood against such false propaganda and thwarted the attempt.

Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Soundaranayagam led the Holy Mass.