Fr. Gregory I. Fernando

THE 20th PARISH PRIEST OF St XAVIER’S CHURCH. NUWARA ELIYA 1974-1979

Appreciat8ion Published in the Ceylon Daily News 2nd July 2012 by W.T.A. Leslie Fernando.

Fr. Gregory I. Fernando: the model Catholic priest

He was not a Bishop, or a theologian or an intellectual in the Church. Nor was he a priest trained in Rome, a scholar or the head of a prestigious Catholic institution. Neither was he in the limelight in the socio-political scene or could lead an organisation getting foreign funds.

He was just a simple priest who spent most of his ministry in parishes. Like Christ the master he was close to people and practiced what he preached. And this humble and dedicated priest of God has touched the hearts and lives of people more than many a religious dignitary in the Catholic Church.

He was none other than Fr. Gregory I. Fernando, the devout and sincere Catholic priest, and an embodiment of religious virtues, whose 10th death anniversary falls on July 06, 2002. The model priest who shined like a bright star in the vineyard of Christ he passed away on July 06, 2002.

Since the Vatican Council II (1962-65) the norms pertaining to the religious were relaxed so as to facilitate them going to the people to spread the message of God. Some clergy have taken undue advantage of the relaxation of rules resulting in lax of discipline. The baneful influence of materialism and deterioration of moral life relating to their celibacy have adversely affected the Catholic Church.

Once Pope John Paul II declared that he was anguished to tears by reports of sexual deviation by Roman Catholic priests. (“Daily News” – December 23, 1993). On March 20, 2001, the Vatican acknowledged a damning report that some priests and missionaries were forcing nuns to have sex with them and forcing victims to have abortions. There was one case of 20 nuns in one religious community being pregnant at the same time. Some nuns were forced to take the contraceptive pill and in Africa certain priests sought out nuns for fear of contacting Aids with prostitutes adds the report. (“Daily News” – March 22, 2001).

The degeneration of moral life and breakdown of discipline among the clergy in the West have their repercussions in Sri Lanka as well. There are some priests in our country who believe more on worldly pleasures and foreign dollars than God’s grace. They shun their sacred robes in society, wear lay clothes, lead sensuous lives and attach scandal. Some others have formed their won organisations with foreign funds and tend to have their own way. At times they pose threats to even Church authorities.

However in Sri Lanka the deterioration of the standards of the clergy is not that bad as in the West. There are many Catholic priests who are religious, good and holy. They are dedicated to the vocation, keep the faith alive, attend to the spiritual needs of the people and sacrifice their career in the name of God.

They extend their help for the uplift of the poor, helpless and the destitute in the true Christian spirit without any hidden agendas. They are loved and admired by people including non-Catholics. They bring credit to the Church and attract people to religion. Fr. Gregory I. Fernando was a shining example of such a priest who was sincere to God and sincere to man.

Fr. Gregory Ignatius Fernando was born at Mahahunupitiya, Negombo on May 09, 1932. His father was Sellapperumage Isidore Fernando, a teacher highly respected in the area and was the Annavi of St. Anne’s Church, Palangature. His mother Illepperiya Arachchige Mary Magilin Fernando was a holy and kind lady from Mahahunupitiya. Fr. Gregory Fernando was the third child of a family of four boys and two girls. The youngest is Fr. Bernard Fernando of the Diocese of Galle.

Fr. Gregory Fernando received his early education at St. Sebastian’s Boys’ School at Katuwapitiya and secondary education at St. Aloysius Seminary, Borella. He started life as a teacher but his sole ambition was to become a priest of God. He entered the Minor Seminary in Kandy in mid 1954 and the National Seminary at Ampitiya in September 1955.

Fr. Geregory Fernando was ordained a priest on December 21, 1961 at St. Anthony’s Cathedral Kandy by the late Dr. Leo Nanayakkara, the then Bishop of Kandy. He served as an asst. parish priest in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya. He also served as the parish priest of Welimada, Katugastota, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy.

Fr. Gregory Fernando excelled himself as a parish priest. He always gave prominence to the spiritual needs of the people and values of Catholic faith. He organised cottage Masses, prayer meeting and Bible readings all over the parish. He insisted on the recital of the family rosary.

Fr. Gregory Fernando selected proven and dedicated laymen to assist him and steered and activated them to transmit divine love and charity. Catholic associations like the Parish Council, Renewal Movement, Legion of Mary and Vincent de Paul Society all blossomed into vigorous activity under his inspiration and guidance.

In his social commitments Fr. Gregory Fernando never depended on dollars from foreign agencies. Like Mother Teresa, he tapped the milk of human kindness to find ways and means to help the needy and poor. He always assisted the poorest of the poor to keep the wolf away from the door. Poverty-stricken children were given school books and uniforms. Medicine bills of the poor were met. At a bereavement, poor were financially assisted.

Fr. Gregory Fernando was indeed a good shepherd to his flock. He knew each and every family in the parish. He visited the homes of the rich as well as the poor with equanimity. He not only attended to the spiritual needs of the parishioners but was also a guide, philosopher and friend to them.

In the field of evangelisation too Fr. Gregory Fernando achieved much for the diocese. He travelled long distances in difficult areas on rugged and precarious roads with the message of Christ. His method was straight-forward. He never made use of a burning issue or a project financed with foreign funds to attract people. The truth was his only weapon and he won souls by his piety, sincerity, holiness and personal example.

Fr. Gregory Fernando was always obedient to his superiors. He never hesitated to accept any assignment at short notice. He extended his services to the diocese as the Rector of the Minor Seminary and Procurator General of Kandy Diocese. An eloquent preacher both in Sinhala and in English, he was much in demand. His sermons – simple, forceful and lucid kept the audience spell-bound.

It is well-known that Fr. Gregory Fernando too was considered to the Bishop of Kandy in 1972. Bishop Paul Perera who was appointed to the post later declared that Fr. Gregory Fernando would have done much more for the diocese.

Fr. Gregory Fernando’s crowning glory was the Eucharistic Congress held in Kandy in 1981. As the organiser of this historical event, he toiled over six months monitoring over 25 committees he set up for this arduous task. And it turned out to be a resounding success and a fascinating spectacle.

The Eucharistic Congress held in Kandy from June 26 to 28, 1981 was a wonderful display of faith. All the highest dignitaries in the church, representatives of other religions and statesmen attended this massive gathering of Catholics from all over the country.

It is said that never in the history such a splendid and solemn Catholic ceremony and a scene so moving was witnessed in the Buddhist climes of Kandy – the hill capital of Sri Lanka. The greatest contribution Fr. Gregory Fernando made to mankind was his healing ministry which was near and dear to his heart. It was based on prayer love and compassion.

He never made use of mass hypnotism and other gimmicks for this purpose. He united in prayer with those who were sick and suffering and they were miraculously cured.

Thousands plagued with sickness and possessed of evil spirits flocked to him for his prayers and blessings. People from different walks of life, creeds and nationalities were cured by his healing ministry. At the death of Fr. Gregory Fernando many who were cured by his prayers paid glowing tributes to him.

Fr. Gregory Fernando expanded all his energy in the vineyard of Christ. In his zealous and indefatigable service to God and to man, he neglected his own health and died at an comparatively early age of 60.

Although Fr. Gregory I. Fernando is dead, he still lives in the hearts of many. When those who enjoy the glamour of office and others who come to limelight by dubious means fade away he would be remembered. He served his master well and the good Lord would induct Fr. Gregory Fernando to his due place in the church.

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has survived many trials and tribulations because of its spiritual fervour and disciplined and exemplary lives of the clergy. We have had a lively community of Catholics ingrained with spirituality and they had the moral strength to stand against any temptation.

Since of late, abortion, prostitution, homosexuality, child abuse, drug addiction and other vices have made fast in-roads to Catholic areas. The religions has lost its spiritual and moral force. Catholic dignitaries who are agitated seem to seek the intervention of the State to protect their flock.

We need sincere, holy and dedicated priests like Fr. Gregory I. Fernando – who always emphasised on the spirituality in religion and never transgressed on things where angels fear to tread, if the Church in Sri Lanka were to regain its spiritual vigour in the modern world.

(The writer is a former High Court judge)