(Oct. 26, 2011) Sri Lanka will mark the Peace Day of Assisi on Thursday with
reflection, dialogue and prayers for peace. The pilgrimage will be a commemoration
of the first 25 years since the first Assisi Day, celebrated by Pope John Paul II
and the world’s religious leaders on October 27, 1986. Anton Meemana, a Catholic
professor at the Blessed Joseph Vaz Theologate in Colombo and Kelaniya University
said "The spirit of Assisi is a spirit of truth, love, peace, freedom, justice and
infinite humility. According to the professor, St. Francis of Assisi represents a
"true model", because "every day challenges us to take the best of our traditions
seriously and live it with intensity." Prof. Meemana said “Peace and truth are deeply
linked together. The search for truth is the foundation of all attempts to build peace.
According to the professor "a true Christian is a blessing and a challenge for all
humanity, but never a burden or a disgrace. Non-Christians should not be afraid of
true Christians, " he added. Meeman urged religious leaders to pay attention to the
problem of persecution in the world, particularly against the Christian community:
"He who kills a Christian, or any human being, dishonours his religion. Social justice
must come from the heart. The spiritual awakening of Asia must renew the face of the
world, burning people's hearts and rekindling the soul of humanity," he said.