2ND LEAD

Our Lady of Madu becomes refugee in her own land: Bishop

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 April 2008, 12:36 GMT]
Bishop of Mannaar, Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, told TamilNet Thursday that he had instructed the remaining four reverend priests, four reverend sisters and five civilian assistants to flee the premises of the Madu Church with the statue of Our Lady. "This is the first time Our Lady of Madu becomes refugee in her own land," Mannaar Bishop said. "She has been giving shelter to IDPs. In 1990, she gave shelter to 36,000 IDPs." Meanwhile, according to the latest reports from priests who were staying in bunkers, shells exploded inside the Church premises Thursday noon.

Bishop Rayappu Joesph has instructed the priests to relocate the statue to a safer area together with them.

Rev. Fr. Administrator Emilianus Pillai, Rev. Fr. Assistant Administrator E. Sebamalai, Parish Priest of Vangkaalai Rev. Fr. Antony Gnanapragasam, Vavuniya Komarasangku'lam Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Antony Sagayam and four Reverend Sisters have left the Shrine's premises around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Bishop's House. The Bishop's House was awaiting contact from the fleeing priests.



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External Links:

Mannaar Diocese:

Short Account of the Historical Development of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Madu