The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has said that religion occupies only a minimal place in modern human society, warning that spiritual life is increasingly being pushed to the margins.
He made the remarks while addressing an evening Holy Mass held to mark the 150th Jubilee of the Divine Saviour’s Church in Makevita, according to Ada Derana.
The Cardinal said that in many developed countries people no longer attend church at weekends, choosing instead to spend their time on leisure and entertainment. He noted that basilicas across Europe remain largely empty while football stadiums draw large crowds, describing the trend as a reflection of misplaced priorities.
Despite being regarded as developed, such societies are increasingly displaying signs of moral and spiritual decline, the Archbishop said. He argued that people have forgotten the noble values of humanity and are placing greater emphasis on fulfilling their physical needs, leaving spiritual life relegated to only a marginal role.
Cardinal Ranjith, who heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo, is among Sri Lanka’s most prominent religious figures and has frequently spoken on questions of faith, morality and public life.
