Church of Ceylon condemns former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis's statements

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Church of Ceylon has sent out a media release criticizing the actions of a former bishop of the institution. The release, issued with the signature of the Bishop of Colombo, Right Reverend Dhiloraj Canagasabey and Bishop of Kurunegala Right Reverend Keerthisiri Fernando, of the Church of Ceylon says it has come to their attention that on October 15th and 16th 2019, certain news items have been telecast by certain television stations and radio stations relating to former Bishop of Kurunegala Shantha Kumar Francis. It adds that it appears that in the news item of October 15th, 2019, former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis, describes himself as a Bishop of the Anglican Church. The Anglican Church in Sri Lanka is known as the Church of Ceylon and was formerly known as the Church of England in Ceylon. The Church of Ceylon wishes to bring to the notice of the public that former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis, is not a serving Diocesan Bishop of the Church of Ceylon. The Church of Ceylon also notes that Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis voluntary resigned from his office as the Bishop of Kurunegala as far back as January 2015. The Church of Ceylon wishes to state that former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis has no entailment or authority to make any statements on behalf of the Church of Ceylon or as a Bishop of the Church of Ceylon. The Church of Ceylon categorically states that the utterances made by former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis, which were telecast on October 15th 2019, were not authorized by the Church of Ceylon, and the Church of Ceylon disassociates itself from the utterances made by him. The Church of Ceylon wishes to emphasize that it is unaware of the truth of any of the utterances made by former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis. It is significant to note that shortly before the Presidential Election in 2015 as well, the said Bishop made certain unauthorized utterances, which prompted the Metropolitan of the Church of Ceylon (the Archbishop of Canterbury), to issue the statement referred to above. The Church of Ceylon notes with serious concern that in a similar manner when a presidential election is pending, former Bishop Shantha Kumar Francis has ventured to make utterances of the same nature. The Church of Ceylon unreservedly condemns this act.

---

The Church of Ceylon has sent out a media release criticizing the actions of a former bishop of the institution. The release, issued with the signature of the Bishop of Colombo, Right Reverend Dhiloraj Canagasabey and Bishop of Kurunegala Right Reverend Keerthisiri Fernando, of the Church of Ceylon says It has come to our attention that on the 15th of October 20L9 and 16th of October 2019, certain news items have been telecast by certain television stations and radio stations relating to Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis, the former Bishop of Kurunegala. It adds that lt appears that in the news item of 15th October 2O19, Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis, describes himself as a Bishop of the Anglican Church. The Anglican Church in Sri Lanka is known as the Church of Ceylon, and was formerly known as the Church of England in Ceylon. The Church of Ceylon wishes to bring to the notice of the public that the former Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis is not a serving Diocesan Bishop of the Church of Ceylon. The Church of Ceylon also notes that Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis voluntary resigned from his office as the Bishop of Kurunegala as far back as January 2015. The Church of Ceylon wishes to state that Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis has no entailment or authority to make any statements on behalf of the Church of Ceylon or as a Bishop of the Church of Ceylon. The Church of Ceylon categorically states that the utterances made by Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis, which were telecast on the 15th of October 2019, were not authorised by the Church of Ceylon, and the Church of Ceylon disassociates itself from the utterances made by him' The Church of Ceylon wishes to emphasize that it is unaware of the truth of any of the utterances made by Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis. It is significant to note that shortly before the Presidential Election in 2015 as well, the said Bishop made certain unauthorised utterances, which prompted the Metropolitan of the Church of Ceylon (the Archbishop of Canterbury), to issue the statement referred to above. The Church of Ceylon notes with serious concern that in a similar manner when a presidential election is pending, Bishop Greg Shantha Kumar Francis has ventured to make utterances of the same nature. The church of Ceylon unreservedly condemns this act.