Sri Lanka

An
Island like a tear drop in Indian Ocean,rich in culture & heritage date back to 5th Century B.C. ruled by Kings as cronicles indicate had exchanged ambassadors with Greece,Rome,Egypt,China to name a few. The rulers had developed advanced irrigation systems and built huge reservoirs where even now being utilized.Buddhism was introduced in the 3rd Century B.C. Sri Lanka is famous for Cricket & became World Champions in 1996.Equally famous for hospitality & holds highest slots in Education & Health systems in South Asia.




In the year 1505 Portuguese captured coastal areas & in 1765 Dutch chased out Portuguese followed by British in 1796 who ruled the entire island until independence in 1948.
Christianity was introduced to the island by Portuguese Missionaries who built schools,hospitals & Catholic churches.Catholic community was persecuted during the time of Dutch period & Catholicism went underground. Chronicles indicate that Rev. Joseph Vas traveled from India disguised as a beggar visited the faithfuls covering the entire island barefooted & rekindled
Catholicism in the faithfuls.Today we venerate & hold blessed Joseph Vas in deep gratitude for if not for His efforts I may not be able to tell the world Christian Societythe plight of Chrisianity in Sri Lanka & carry His torch to enhance the flock.Rev.Goseph Vas is yet to beatify as Patron of Sri Lanka.


During latter part of 20th Century Christians had a better place in society as well as in number,but now occupies the lowest grid of all religions existing in Sri Lanka.
For the last 3 decades terrorism has ravaged & devastated the country. Christian population declined as many who had some means migrated.This may have a snow-balling effect in the future unless remedial action is not taken immediately.

Actions needed to enhance Christian population


Develop a system to find a Christian partner at matrimony

Set up a marriage brokerage free of charge by advertising in popular papers ,magazines,in the
Diocese and also in the radio and other electronic media.
Christians are only 7% compared to other religions.It is not easy to find a matching partner from the christian community as there are lot of barriers.Major barriers are existence of a limited number and poverty among Christians.Unless Christians are encouraged and given support by fellow Christians /Societies they will be swallowed by other 93% in the near future.
A dangerous situation!!! In time to come there will be only a handful to follow Sunday mass.

Who is responsible? WE are all.Remember the word of Gospel."What have you done unto my brethren".
A mechanism has to be developed.


Engagement Criteria

Arranged marriages are the most common type of marriages in this part of world.Families of bride and groom play a bigger role in matching partners.It is invariable that brides parents have to offer a dowry to the groom .This is the most pathetic , unacceptable activity but adhered to the very letter by the groom's parents. If brides parents are extremely poor the outcome is that marriage ends up as a mix-marriage where her parents may accept any partner from non christian categories(93%).
For us Christians the end result is declining trend in Christian community further and further.
This is where our Mission stands.In simple words .... Stop the declining trend at any cost and gradually increase Christian community.



We have designed a Christian Pre-Marriage Enrolment Form to gather information relevant to both parties.Thereafter we can assign field officers to verify actual conditions of the families and to select most deserving couples for financial assistance.
Our objective is to bring up as much as possible Christian family units.Initially it may not be possible assist all due to financial constraints now prevailing.Money is a scarce resource specially today the whole world is experiencing a recession.The poor nations like Sri Lanka is affected worst.
Yet our mission to be commence with assistance from donors and well wishers cannot be abandon.Come what may we will continue with gods help and with your assistance.

To view Christian Pre-Marriage Enrolment Form please click here

Bringing Hopeful Message to Bride and Groom

Our mission has to be conveyed to Christian families.The best way to do this is through Print and Electronic media as well as through Parish notice board.I believe that there will be a huge response specially from very poor young girls who have no means of affording a simple wedding.
Print media is the cheapest publishing under classified column in the Sunday National papers and popular weekly Journals.
Electronic media: Radio advertisement is affordable .However T.V. is expensive though fast results can be expected.Initially we may advertise in Print media and Radio.As we expand our activities we may consider advertising in T.V.
Message to be conveyed is that Marriage Bureau for Christians has been started.If you are still not successful in finding a Christian partner due to various impediments,write to us to help you.

Initially we may prepare a quarterly Budget covering advertising expenses.

Please Click here to view Budget








Introduce poverty eradication programmes
among Christians

Income level of Christian family unit should be enhanced through various Projects.
Unemployment in the family is the root cause of poverty resulting family disruptions with children going astray.For some three meals a day is unthinkable ,at times mother skip off meals to feed the children. Poverty distance the poor specially the children from Christianity.But feeding, clothing, sheltering and guiding them to follow christian life enhance christian population.
Remember as true followers of Christ we are called upon to serve our own brethren through sharing.Thereby you
are providing a vital social service to people in need.

God helped you to be what you are today.So you too have a bounding duty to help HIS flock in the name of Christ.



Finding jobs/living means for the fiance

This activity is very important and has a binding effect. Support should be given to this age group for vocational training enabling them to find a job or enter self employment.
For the christian family or once the matching couples are engaged, their biggest impediment for engagement is lack of a decent job or they need financial assistance for self employment.
Christian youth are healthy and educated,holds highest in South Asia.Vocational training institutes are available; land is available.Only draw back is non availability of funds.In other words donors/investors needed to fund projects and create jobs.
In city,suburbs and in rural areas job creating opportunities are in abundance in the following fields.
1.Service sector 2.Engineering industry 3.Agriculture 4.Farming 5.Live stock 6.Fisheries
7.Apparel 8.World famous Ceylon Tea etc.
You may create 100,000 and more jobs in these fields.
That is you are helping to create 100,000 and more Christian Family Units in few years time and thereby plugging the down fall and with few years more observe an up turn trend.
Remember with your small contribution we can do wonders.Further you can have an inner feeling and be happy that you have done some service to god and to fellow Christians.
These families will remember you forever and pray you at the time of Call.









Christian children brought up in christian environment



Christian families should bring children to Sunday Holy Mass and Sunday School because in most
schools Christianity is not taught in the class room. Let them observe parents and other faithfuls worship in the church, praying near statues . That will create an imprint in their hearts and mind from early years of their life.Children should be encourage through
various means. Praise them in front of others and if possible give them gifts .
Adult attitudes and behaviour is primarily shaped up during his/her childhood.Children with no parental affection see world as unfriendly,cruel and hostile.
Prominent and successful people have been brought up in religious background.
It is important to build pre-schools with link to diocesan church.










Christan
s living in city slums



They live in tin roofed houses.Children are like stray dogs.No schooling or health care,bend on
criminal activities from their tender age.We must show special care to these wayward
children.



Help Christians living in Tsunami affected areas


Four years have passed. Some are still without shelter.All fishing equipment washed away
These Christians need support to build their families from grass root level










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For more details.......(Click Here)


Preliminary steps needed to commence Project

Priority:Maintain an office to coordinate the work.

This is the first step to be done.True it may take long time to accomplish the
'mission'.However there has to be a starting point some where.I need Pioneers to take a
bold step and say
"Go ahead Peter I will support you, its a worthy cause.I haven't thought
about the next world, until you reminded me.!

Initially as Phase I of our Project we intend concentrating on building up Christian family units. As we expand further and with the improvement of financial position we intend entering into the II Phase of our Project.In this Phase we intend entering into Micro Financing to improve economic position of the Christian family units. Thereby to stop declining trend of Christian community in Sri Lanka.
Please click to view Start up Budget for New Office


Declining Christian Population In Srilanka


Comparison with the Past

From latter part of last century and up to now the Christian population has declined while the rest of religions have increased their sector.If you observe and compare attendances on Sunday Holy Mass now and good olden days you will notice the difference.Half of the pews are empty now!What's happening to the faithfuls? Just sublime to thin air?
Why is this declining trend specific to Christians of all sectors in Sri Lanka?

Major Reasons that can be identified for this alarming trend

1.Mix Marriages - Most marriages are now taking place in the afternoon indicating
its a mix marriage.

2.Poverty in the Family - Family is more concern about survival rather than
religion. Christianity becomes a secondary matter.

3.Finding a Christian Partner - Especially for women in lower and middle class,it
is difficult to find a Christian partner as their per capita income is very
low.Dowry or a job to equate dowry is a must.If they are unable to satisfy either
they may marry a non Christian as it is easy to find a non Christian
partner(out of 93%).

4.Preschool Education - Christian Children are not brought up in Christian background.