Catholic World News News Feature
Sri Lankan shrine re-opens as fighting ebbs August 12, 2008
The shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, Sri Lanka's most active pilgrimage site, has been cautiously re-opened, although the area is still considered dangerous because of continued fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels, the AsiaNews service reports.
The Madhu shrine was closed in April because of fighting in the region, and the beloved image of Our Lady of Madhu was removed to preserve the statue from artillery shelling. But as a fragile peace returned to the area, Bishop Joseph Rayappu authorized the return of the statue.
Now-- after government forces swept the area to check for land mines-- the bishop has said that the shrine will be open to the faithful once again. The Madhu shrine attracts about 300,000 pilgrims each year.
[For a more detailed story see the AsiaNews web site.]
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