Rev. Fr. Mary Bastian, a catholic priest, who was killed during Sri Lanka’s civil war, was remembered on January 6 at St. Anne’s Church in Vankalai, Mannar, where a solemn commemoration was held.
The service was organized by the Vankalai Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Lagonz Figurado, and included a Requiem Holy Mass presided over by the Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Dr. Antonypillai Gnanapragasam. Following the Mass, floral tributes were paid at the statue of Fr. Mary Bastian, and oil lamps were lit in remembrance of him and all those who lost their lives during the conflict.
Prayers for peace and for the souls of the victims of the war were also offered. A large number of priests, religious sisters, and members of the faithful participated in the commemoration, reflecting on Fr. Bastian’s life, witness, and unwavering commitment to justice and service.
Rev. Fr. Mary Bastian was shot dead by government soldiers on January 6, 1985, inside St. Anne’s Church in Vankalai, an incident that shocked the nation and remains one of the most significant killings of a Catholic priest during the civil conflict.
