Bishop warns of ‘Buddhist Taliban’ in Sri Lanka

May 01, 2013

Bishop Raymond Wickramasinghe of Galle (Sri Lanka) is seeking the prayers of the faithful worldwide as the nation’s Christians and Muslims suffer persecution from Bodu Bala Sana (BBS), the “Buddhist Taliban.”

The Fides news agency reported that Buddhist monks were involved in 50 attacks on Christians in 2012. One prelate, Bishop Rayyappu Joseph of Mannar, suffered slight injuries when stones were thrown at him in September.

More recently, a church was burned down on March 9, reportedly with police assistance, and several Protestant pastors say that they have been threatened with violence if they do not cease from their ministry.

The nation of 21.5 million is 69% Buddhist, 8% Muslim, 7% Hindu, and 7% Christian; almost all Christians are Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• The case of the Buddhist "Taliban" explodes: Church re-launches the work for religious harmony (Fides)