Fifty years of faith, forgiveness, and fearless advocacy

ON 29 June 2025, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith celebrated 50 years in the priesthood—a significant milestone in a life dedicated to faith, service, justice, and the pursuit of peace.

- BY DINESH WEERAKKODY

During a special sermon marking this anniversary, Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera, former Director of Catholic Education, described him as “a principled advocate of justice and reconciliation.” In a world often fractured by religious intolerance and violent extremism, genuine peace-builders emerge as beacons of hope.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, is one such figure—demonstrating that the most powerful response to hatred is not vengeance, but steadfast dedication to dialogue, empathy, and justice. His courageous leadership, particularly in the aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, has shaped a legacy that transcends ecclesiastical boundaries.

A journey rooted in peace and dialogue

Cardinal Ranjith’s path to becoming a voice for peace is deeply rooted in his faith and international experience. Born into a multi-religious society, educated in Rome, and later serving in Vatican diplomacy, he developed a nuanced understanding of global conflicts and the vital importance of interfaith harmony. Long before the Easter tragedy, he consistently advocated for dialogue among Sri Lanka’s Buddhist majority as well as its Hindu, Muslim, and Christian minorities. He recognised early on that sustainable peace depends on mutual respect and understanding that transcend doctrinal differences. Across various platforms, he championed shared values—compassion, human dignity, and the sanctity of life—embedded within all major religions.

The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings: A defining moment