To:
Most. Rev.Dr. Bishop Rayappu Joseph and the Priests of the Diocese of Mannar

Together with the staff of Caritas Sri Lanka I would like to express our heart felt condolences to you on the untimely and unfortunate demise of Rev. Fr. Nicholas Packiyyaranjith, District Coordinator, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Mannar District.

We are deeply saddened by this incident that took place last evening and share your grief during this moment of sorrow.

We also pray and wish for the speedy recovery of his assistant Rev. Fr. Christopher Jujin and fervently hope that this incident would strengthen the social workers more, to courageously carry on their tasks to serve those affected by this conflict.

27.09.2007

Andrew Galea Debono
JRS International Advocacy Officer

1 would like to express my sorrow and shock for the death of our brother, Fr. Nicholaspillai, whilst performing his generous and corageous work for displaced people in need in Sri Lanka. I did not have the honour to know Fr. Nicholaspillai - but we share the common struggle to help refugees and displaced people all around the world. I feel his loss very much. JRS is like a family for me - and today I feel that I lost a brother.

All my love to you and those who were close to Fr. Nicholaspillai and may God be with you in this moment of extreme sorrow.

From -

Rev. Fr. Theva

My Lord, I am so sad to hear about the tragic death of Father Ranjith. It is so shocking for all of us. I join in your sorrow and pain and pray for all of you. We are going through the darkest times .The Lord will give you strength and support to guide our people toward the way of Peace. I pray for the repose of the soul of Fr.Ranjith.

02.10.2007

Dear Bishop,

what a tragedy I got the shocking news of the death of Fr. Packiaranjith. These days so many deaths and much destruction and displacements. May God give you the strength to go through all these.

Fr. Ranjith was a very good student and a pleasant character, sportive, sincere and conscious of his duties. What a loss for the diocese! May the Lord reward him with eternal life.

I was in Geneva for a week and now in London doing all that I can do to bring the Sri Lanka government to its senses, stop the war and save the country and people.

26.09.2007

Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD
Pauline Taylor-McKeown,
Head of International Programmes
Mary Lucas, Programme Manager,
Sri Lanka and India
Olwen Maynard, Programme Support Officer,
Sri Lanka

We at CAFOD wish to express our deepest sympathy with you, and everyone in the Diocese of Mannar, over the tragic death of Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith.
Please be assured of our prayers at this time.

27.09.2007

My Lord Bishop and ail the Priests mourning and saddened by the untimely death of Rev. Fr Pakiaranjit,

I wish my physical presence with you at this time of sorrow and sadness.  Please accept our prayerful condolences to you all. We priests here are united with you in prayers that surpass space and time.

My aunts paid their last respect to Fr Ranjit' s remains at out new chapel at the Bishop's house They told me that they could not stand the sight that you looked so sad by the death of your priest. I pray and hope that things of this nature never happens again to any Diocese, to bishop, Priest and to the people of God.

If I were there ;

1). I will thank God immensely for the life Fr Ranjith .God said "Do not be afraid little flock and I will never forsake you and will never abandon you".  We became priests of His call to make His promises to the little ones of God visible. Fr Ranjith's life is an ample proof that God never abandons His promises. He made Fr. Ranjith to assure His people once again by paying the ultimate sacrifice. After all Did HE not say that I am the good shepherd?

2) I will thank God for you the chief Shepard of the Diocese. Fr Ranjith is a representative of you in the place of his work as you are His. Now it is your sacrifice too. Is not your soul crying aloud to God at this time of mourning ? I am sure it is. I will never think this sacrifices will ever deter you or our presbytery, on the contrary it will all the more determine to serve the people to whom you are the Chief Shepard. For He said to His people that "I will give you pastors of my kind"

3) I will thank God for Fr. Ranjith who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of His good Shepard. I thank God for Fr Ranjith's mother and brother who supported Ranjith to continue his work in a place where a scant respect is paid for life. They allowed him to work in a dangerous place. It is not easy for a mother ( whom you are going to meet and may not have all the answers to her faith related questions and all imperfect word to console her helplessness). I understand leaving a son in Sri Lanka and living in Canada not only the distance, but also the risks involved, was not easy and she is going to harbour this pain for a very long long time. The mother would have liked to feed his elder son ( in fact she does) who opened her womb that lifted her up to the privileged position of mother. They had this pain of leaving his son in a difficult place of work, continually prayed for him and now continue to have the BIG question "GOD WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO US'

My humble prayer would be at this time of sorrow let us not make this sorrowful event a political or investigative or accusative one by going into details of that manner that caused his death in public. Though he was a victim of evil minds yet it is never outside the pervading plan of God These days are spiritual in nature that we thank God for continually providing good Shepherds to fulfill His promise, " I will not forsake you nor abandon you", assuring the people who may have been frightened and definitely saddened, that God will never abandon them.
Paying utmost respect possible to Fr. Ranjith who opted to work for the Diocese of Mannar and consented live in Sri Lanka though his family moved to Canada. Avoiding anything controversial that steals the glorious sacrifice of Fr. Ranjit ( Aandavarin Parvaiyil avar adiyar maranam miga mathipukkufiathae).

Now the question comes "whom shall I sent ?" to the place fall vacant by the untimely death of Fr. Ranjith.   We shall draw courage from Fr. Ranjith to see ourselves that we are the Shepherds of His flock. Encourage the priests who are working under tremendous pressure risking their lives every single day. Remind them once again, we are His Shepherds by renewing our priestly promises that we promised at the time of our ordination and marching forward to tell the world and its evil powers, that we come like DAVID relying on God and not as Goliath who counted on own strength.  Remind the crooked minds and war monsters that PEACE will ultimately prevail.  Always reminding ourselves "I will send you like lambs among wolves"
United in prayers in your sorrow and
in prayers for the repose of the soul of Fr. Ranjith.

MAY HE REST IN PEACE !

27.09.2007

To:

His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Royappu Joseph,
Bishop of Mannar
and members of the Presbyterlum
of the Mannar Diocese

Your Lordship and dear Fathers,

We were shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of Father Packiaranjith - JRS Mannar Coordinator - who fell victim to a claymore mine attack while on his way to minister to the displaced people of the area.

While lamenting the great loss to the diocese, to the faithful of Mannar and most particularly the helpless people in the refugee camps, we join you in prayer to grant eternal repose to our brother who sacrificed his life for the love of his people.

Rev. Fr. Jagath Anthony OMI.
For Very Rev. Fr.Clement Waidyasekara OMI - Provincial Superior.
OBLATES  OF MARY  IMMACULATE.

Most  Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar,
 
My Lord,

On behalf of all the Oblates and in the name of Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekara OMI, Provincial Superior of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who is away in South Africa, I offer you my deepest sympathies on the very sad passing away of your loving and dear Father Nichoaslpillai Packiyaranjith.

We are in solidarity with you in this very very sad death. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
May his untimely death be the means of obtain the blessings of Peace from God.

May I offer my personal condolences and be united with you in prayer.

27.09.2007

My Lord Bishop

My deepest sympathies on the very sad news of Fr. Packiyaranjith. I was shocked yesterday evening when I was told about Fr. Packiyaranjith. It is very difficult to bear it. It is very difficult to believe. I know how much you will feel about this incident. I share with you all my sorrows and condolence. May God grant you strength to stand against all these things. I do not know how much we may have to sacrifice still.

My Lord I am with you in sprite and prayer. I feel very bad and question myself why I am not there right now.

God has an answer for all these things, he will put an end to all these things.
Once again please accept my sympathies and solidarity with you, with all our priests and Fr. Packiyaranjith's family.

27.09.2007

Rev. Fr. Manuelpillai David
St. Francis Xavier’s Seminary
Columbuthurai, Jaffna.

The Unbearable Loss of the Fr. Packiyaranjith

It is with tears in my eyes I am writing these few lines to pay homage to Rev. Fr. Nicholapillai Packiya-ranjith, who has been killed in a Claymore attack while he was taking milk food and essentials things to the displaced people in his vehicle. Fr. Packiyaranjith is a son of our St. Francis Xavier’s Seminary, Jaffna, and hence his Alma Mater too is in tears. We have lost two sons of ours within these two years. Last year we listed Fr. Jim Brown in the growing list of disappeared people. Just a few weeks ago on the anniversary of his disappearance, kneeling before the Lord we offered our prayers for him and for all the disappeared of our land. Within these few weeks we hear of the death of another talented and energetic young priest. When we think of these stark realities we find it difficult to calm our hearts, and we can only raise our hearts and minds to God Almighty to plead for strength to bear this sudden demise.

Fr. Packiyaranjith opted to stay with the poor

Fr. Packiyaranjith, who was born in Jaffna, wanted to become a priest for the Mannar diocese. Along with the Mannar seminarians, he had his formation in our Seminary, and was ordained for the same diocese. Early in his life, he had lost his father; his mother brought up her two sons as God-fearing children in spite of all the odds she faced. Even though his mother and brother have now settled down in Canada, Fr. Packiyaranjith had opted to stay in Sri Lanka in order to serve the poor and needy. He was an active coordinator of the Jesuit Relief Service (JRS), which has its branches all over the world, catering to the poor and the needy. On the day of his death too, Fr. Packiyaranjith was taking baby food and essential humanitarian supplies for displaced children in his vehicle. It is very unfortunate that a priest who has dedicated his life for God and his people has been targeted by those responsible for the death.

Fr. Packiyaranjith and Fr. Jim Brown are only symbols 

As I reflect on these two priests, one fact becomes clear to me. These two priests are only symbols of what is going on in the North and East. In these areas, every day we keep hearing of the death and disappearance of many; and our people are only raising their hands to God asking him to come to their rescue. As I write this I hear that at Chunnakam another claymore mine has exploded and four people have been killed and twenty others injured, including two policemen. Thus every day we hear the cries of the wounded, and of those whose kith and kin have either disappeared or been killed.

Can we put a stop to these senseless killings?

Now as for me I feel that we have come to a stage where we have exhausted all our energy. When we go on the roads of Jaffna, we see only the sad faces of our people. Is there no way out of this mess?  Will there be a day in this land when we can bring an end to all such senseless killings? The answer is: Yes. As Christians we cannot be pessimistic, rather we always need to look forward towards the future with hope. So how can we find a bright light after this long tunnel of dark years?

Can we stop with prayer alone?  

It is not enough merely to say prayers to God, rather we as Catholics must put our hearts and minds together in order to bring an end to the untold sufferings experienced by the people of this land. Recently I was happy to be in a meeting of some priests from the North and the South. Some priests from the South belonging to the Colombo Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) paid a visit to Jaffna to express their solidarity with the people of the North and to get a first-hand experience for themselves of what is going on here. They visited many places and met many people to listen to their sad stories. They also wanted to meet some diocesan priests and I too participated in the meeting. The meeting was very cordial and we had a smooth exchange of experience and ideas. They understood us and we understood them; one of the things that emerged in that encounter was that both sides should write and express their opinion on the current situation and become bridge builders. There I felt that it was not merely a moment of prayer for peace but along with prayers, there was an effort made by these generous souls from the South to come all the way from Colombo to build bridges. It is this meeting with them that has urged me to down these lines, which I feel, will make at least some to realize the urgent need for peace.
Let us all march towards this target, which alone can and will allow all of us to live in peace and prosperity. "Man cannot progress alone, all men must grow together" - Pope Paul VI.

27.09.2007

Dear Bishop Rayappu Joseph, Mannar Diocese.

I was informed today itself of the terrible killing of Rev. Father Nicolaspillai Packiyaranjith priest of your diocese.

During my last visit in Mannar at your Bishop's House, I met this Father Packiyaranjith who was a great friend to Father Dunstan of Voluntas Dei, I remember very well this Father working for the poor displaced people with the Jesuit Refugee Foundation. This Father's mother and brother are living here in Canada in Toronto. In a way, we can say he is a Martyr of this war.

I add my condolences and prayers to you as Bishop of Mannar and to all the Priests and family.

It is our faith that this Father is now with God and Our Lady and can give a helpful hand to end this was as soon as possible.

26.09.2007

Most. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera.                           
Chairman                                                                               
Justice and Peace Commission                                     

Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando                         
National Director
Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

Caritas Sri Lanka, National Secretariat of the National Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka is shocked and saddened by the untimely and tragic demise of Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pillai Packiaranjith. We strongly condemn all acts of violence that inflict pain to innocent civilians and loss of lives.

Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiaranjith was killed in a claymore blast in the Mallavi area on 26th September when he was carrying food and humanitarian supplies to a refugee camp and orphanage at Vidathalvu.  40 year old, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pillai Packiaranjith who had been serving as a priest for the past 10 years, was also the District Coordinator of Mannar for the Jesuit Refugee Service.

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Dr Rajappu Joseph, the clergy, people of Mannar diocese, The Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), and to the bereaved family members of Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiaranjith. We also pray for the speedy recovery of. Mr. Eugine, who was also seriously injured in this incident.

Over the past several years there has been an increase in the number of acts of violence against innocent civilians. This incident and others of this nature is a reminder to us of the gravity of the situation in the country and of the need to establish lasting peace in our country.

All religions practice peace, and therefore, we call upon all Sri Lankans to condemn these acts of violence and unite to bring about a lasting solution for peace in the country.

We also call both parties to return to the negotiating table and work out a political solution to the conflict in order to end violence and killings in Sri Lanka.

We fervently pray that God will grant eternal rest to Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiaranjith and spiritual consolation to those who mourn his death.

Human Rights in Conflict program
Law & Society Trust (LST)
3, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka

1. Association of War Affected Women, Kandy
2. Centre for Peace and Human Rights Culture, Jaffna
3. Centre for Peace Building and Reconciliation (Cpbr), Colombo
4. Centre for Peoples Dialogue, Negombo
5. Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), Colombo
6. Christian Alliance for Social Action (CASA), Colombo
7. Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, Colombo
8. Equalground, Colombo
9. Friends of the Third World, Negombo
10. Gampaha District Human Rights Citizens Committee, Ekela
11. Home for Human Rights (HHR), Colombo
12. Human Rights Media Resource Centre, Kandy
13. International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo
14. International Friends for Global Peace, Colombo
15. International Movement Against all forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), Colombo
16. Justice Peace Human Development Human Rights Secretariat (SETIK), Caritas-Kandy
17. Law & Society Trust (LST), Colombo
18. Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy, Mannar
19. Meepura Publication, Negombo
20. National Peace Council (NPC), Colombo
21. Nonviolent Peaceforce Sri Lanka, Colombo
22. Oblate Justice and Peace Committee (Colombo Province), Colombo

Another religious leader / aid worker killed in Sri Lanka

It is with deep sadness that we learnt the news of the killing of Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Pakiaranjith, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Mannar. He had been working to assist and protect internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in and around Mannar, as the District Coordinator of the well known international church agency Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

Fr Packiaranjith, known as Fr. Ranjit, was killed in a claymore blast in the Mallavi area on Tuesday 26 September when he was carrying humanitarian supplies to a camp and orphanage at Vidathalvu for people affected by the war.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Fr. Ranjith, the Bishop and the clergy of Mannar diocese and JRS staff and strongly condemn this brutal and deliberate killing. Killing of religious leaders and humanitarian workers denies protection and assistance to people affected by the violence and hostilities.

Fr. Ranjith is the 4th religious leader to be killed or subjected to enforced disappearance since August 2006 in the North and East of Sri Lanka and the 58th humanitarian worker to be killed or subjected to enforced disappearance in Sri Lanka since January 2006.

We note with dismay that, to our knowledge, no one has been prosecuted in relation to the above incidents. The killing also comes less than two weeks after the Sri Lankan government dismissed and denied submissions by Sri Lankan and international religious and civil society groups to the UN Human Rights Council on attacks on religious leaders and places of worship as “isolated incidents” and a “desperate attempt by a small number of NGOs to portray Sri Lanka as a country where religious leaders and places of workshop have been under constant attack.”

We call on relevant authorities to take a serious look at this issue and ensure an independent investigation and prosecute those responsible.

We again reiterate our call to the Government of Sri Lanka, the LTTE and all armed actors, to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the security of religious leaders and humanitarian workers so that they are able to carry on their crucial work of assisting and protecting people affected by the conflict.

Dear His Lordship and my brother Priests and Religious,
Our people in Italy and myself are shocked and saddened at the news of the death of our dear and beloved peace loving priest, Fr. Packiyaranjith.

We express our solidarity with you and the Priests and lay people at this moment of deep grief and great sorrows, while my Lordship, Priests and all the lay faithful remain shocked still and bewildered as to what would future hold for them and the people, we continue to pray that this incident will stir the Peace Process, so that Fr.Rangith who has died may not have died in vain.
May the Loving God grand him eternal rest,

My Lord and brother Priest,Religious united in Prayers !

From -

Very Rev. Fr. Nihal Nanayakkara
Vicar General,
Diocese of Galle, Sri Lanka.

My Lord Bishop,

It is with great shock and sadness that we heard about the tragic death of Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Ranjith who got caught to a claymore mine attack. On behalf of the Bishop, Priests, Religious and Faithful of the Diocese of Galle, I send our condolences to you and the Presbyterium. We shall remember you in our prayers at this sad and tragic moment. There are denials by all sides. But the fact is that we have another death of a Priest which as usual will not be accounted for.
May God bless you and all the Fathers in your Diocese!

Andrew Gaiea Debono
JRS International Advocacy Officer

I would like to express my sorrow and shock for the death of our brother, Fr. Nicholaspiilai. whilst performing his generous and courageous work for displaced people in need in Sri Lanka. I did not have the honour to know Fr. Nicholaspiilai - but we share the common struggle to help refugees and displaced people all around the world I fee! his loss very much. JRS is like a family for me - and today l feel that I lost a brother
All my love to the whole of the JRS Sri Lanka team and may God be with you in this moment of extreme sorrow.

From -

We are all shocked by the attack on Fr. Packiaranjith. It is sad that the people who perpetrated this violence do not have the basic humanness. It is beyond all belief that a person who carried milk for children could be killed mindlessly. It is time that all right thinking citizens of the world come together and condemn this dastardly act. May the Lord give Fr. Packiaranjith the crown of glory reserved for his loving ones.

Fr Rohan Silva OMI
CENTRE FOR SOCIETY AND RELIGION

Dear Bishop,

I along with Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, who is overseas at the moment, and the staff at the Centre for Society and Retigpion (CSR), Maradana, Colombo 10, express our deepest condolences at the tragic death of Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, caused by the explosion of a claymore mine.
We assure you, the presbyterium and the family members of Fr. Nicholaspillai of our prayers.
We are committed to work for Justice and Peace and join hands with ail those who genuinely work to see an end to violence and killings.

From -

Dawn
JRS Singapore

I sent out the sad news of the passing of Fr Ranjith to the rest of JRS Singapore as soon as I received it this afternoon.

My heart hurts for the people he has come in contact with all these time when he served in JRS the refugees brothers & sisters, all the religious and volunteers... To all of you who have known him, I am sure you are devastated by his sudden death.
It's 3.50am I can't sleep as my mind is still reaching out to be with all of you at this moment.

I pray for his gentle soul to be at eternal peace in heaven with Lord Jesus. And I also pray for all of you to be stronger in the face of adversity i am one in spirit with you all now.

Fr. Peter Balleis SJ

I would like to express my deep sorry about the death of Fr. Nicholaspillai. It is a shock to us and brings home to us, the JRS team taking part in Geneva at the pre Ex-com meeting, in what dangerous regions you all are working.

Fr. Nicholaspillai has given "his fife in service for the poor. The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 are applicable to his life.

May he be blessed by the Lord and rewarded for all the good he did for the refugees and displaced people. May his sacrifice become fruitful for a lasting peace.
I assure you of my and our prayer for Fr. Nicholaspillai and the injured Mr. Eugene.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the death of Fr. Nicholaspillai.
Our prayers go to his family and to the Mannar Diocese.

Fr.Arulpragasam

Dear His Lordship,Brother Priests and the People of Mannar,

When I heard the death news of Fr, Rangith I couldn't bear it, I am with you all in weeping for the sadden and unbearable death of our dearest Priest. I express my deepest condolence to you, Brother Priests, mother and brother of Fr.Rangith and the people of Mannar.
I pray for all to give strength to do the ministry in this juncture well.
United in Prayers !!

From -

Rev.. Fr. G. Arulnesan
Our Lady of Good health parish
172 Leslie street Toronto M4M 3C7
Canada

Dear His Lordship Bishop & Revd Fathers of the Diocese of Mannar:

It is with great shock & sadness that we received the news of the untimely and tragic death of Fr Nicholaspillai Pakiyaranjith.  I do understand that right now you feel grately confused, sad, stunned, even overwhelmed by the loss of your brother Priest.

In the past you have loved others, comforted them and shared their losses at the time of their loss and greviences.  During the hours ahead it will be your turn, your time to be loved, to be comforted and to let others share your grief.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayerful fellowship on behalf of Tamil Catholic Community living in Greater Toronto, Canada.

We Christians, however, find bright rays of hope in the midst of our many tears.  We believe that death is not an end, but a beginning, that our beloved brother priest has passed through death from this present, temporary life to a perfect, permanent one.

 He who saw God, in faith on Earth now sees the Lord face to face in Heaven.  Death separates us now, but only for a short time.  Soon we will be reunited, as God tells us in the Bible, with those we love in a “dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling in the heavens, not made by hands but to last forever” (2 Cori 5:1)

Through the loving kindness and mercy of God may his soul rest in eternal peace.

May all of you be consoled and comforted through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Madhu during these days of sadness                              

With kind regards and prayers,

From -

My prayers are for peace in Sri Lanka.  Farther Ranjith will be in God's kingdom.  My prayers also for Fr. Ranjith's family as well.

May God Bless you all.

Dear My Lord,

Let me express my heartfelt condolence to you and all the priests in the Diocese on the death of  Fr. Packiyaranjith who is my classmate and a good friend. I was so sad when I heard this news from Fr. Dunstan.

I know him for the last 20 years. We have been together in the minor and major Seminaries. He is very active and sincere in his mission in the Lord’s vineyard.  He is always with the poor and he prefers to work for the welfare of the poor.

Rev. Fr. Eugene Francis
London, UK.

My Lord, and my Dear Priests in Mannar Diocese.

On behalf of the Tamil Catholic Community in London, UK, I offer you my deepest sympathies on the very sad passing away of your loving and dear Father Nichoaslpillai Packiyaranjith.
I have known him for the last few years and it is true that he is very active in the mission to the poor. I was shocked when I heard this sad news of your priest.
We, the Tamil Catholics in London, are in solidarity with you in this very sad death of your priest. May the Lord grant him Eternal Rest.
May I offer my personal condolences and be united with you in prayer.