COLOMBO -The Sri Lankan Catholic diaspora in Romania recently celebrated two significant spiritual milestones, strengthening their faith, cultural identity, and fostering unity within their community as well as interfaith harmony.
On July 27, 2025, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Bucharest, St. Anthony of Padua was officially declared the Patron Saint of the Sri Lankan Catholic Community in Romania. The Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Dr. Aurel Percă, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest, and was attended by Madurika Joseph Weninger, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Romania. The ceremony, which also saw the appointment of a new community committee to lead and nurture the religious and cultural life of Sri Lankan Catholics in Romania, was held at the invitation of Rev. Fr. K. Claude Perera, TOR, the newly appointed Chaplain to the Sri Lankan Catholic community.

The second milestone took place on August 15, 2025, aligning with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Feast of Our Lady of Madhu. At St. George’s Cathedral in Timișoara, a significant religious ceremony honoured Our Lady of Madhu with a solemn coronation of her statue, officiated by Bishop Dr. József-Csaba Pál, officially declaring her the Patroness of the Sri Lankan Catholic Community in Timișoara. Ambassador Weninger, accompanied by Embassy Attaché Ratheesparan, participated in the event, which was organized by the local Catholic Church, the Sri Lankan Chaplain, and the community.
Prior to the liturgy, Weninger held a courtesy meeting with Bishop Pál, Vicar General, Very Rev. Msgr. Johann Dirschl, and Director of the Diocesan Archives Dr. Claudiu Sergiu Călin, expressing appreciation for the continued support of the Diocese to the Sri Lankan faithful.
The Timișoara celebration was marked by a vibrant devotional procession featuring traditional hymns, prayers, and strong community participation. Notably, the event also welcomed Sri Lankan Buddhist and Hindu members, highlighting the spirit of interfaith harmony within the Sri Lankan diaspora.

Both events underscored the dedication, spiritual resilience, and cultural unity of the Sri Lankan Catholic community in Romania. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bucharest extended heartfelt gratitude to the Archdioceses of Bucharest and Timișoara, their clergy, and the Romanian Catholic faithful for their warm welcome and spiritual solidarity.

-ENCL
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