Bishop Duleep and Geetha de Chickera are partners in both life and ministry.

They are coming to the diocese from the Diocese of Colombo, Church of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, for a Partners in Mission event at St. Mary's Kerrisdale on October 21 and 22.

Together they have taught, encouraged, and enabled the still radical dream of God for peace with justice for all: peace in healing and reconciliation, peace in relationship and community built on respect and humility, peace in the transforming love of God.

Bishop Duleep and Geetha de Chickera are partners in both life and ministryin the Diocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Anglican Journal photo

As a parish priest, Bishop Duleep served in both large urban and small village parishes of mixed Sinhala, Tamil, Burgher, and ex-patriot congregations. A lawyer by training and a teacher, Geetha has contributed in many ways to the formation of girls and young women in the public school system and in the church.

 

Together they began the Reconciliation and Peace Program in the diocese now in its second decade of conflict transformation training, peace education, production of worship and reflection materials and national advocacy. Networks of peace-seeking people of faith - Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian - have formed and been strengthened. Under BishopDuleep's episcopacy, women have become ordained in the Church of Ceylon.

National peace with justice in Sri Lanka today has become fragile, eluding all who work toward cessation of hostilities in the civil conflict of more than twenty years.

It was the hope of many that in the national mourning and restoration of coastal communities devastated by the December 2004 tsunami, peace with justice would prevail over long-standing grievances, inequities, and conflicts. Sadly, this has not happened.

The conference begins on Friday evening with a program and reception. Plenaries and small groups will continue on Saturday from 9am-4pm. Lunch will be provided. The cost for the Conference is $10. For information and registration please email margaretcornish@telus.net or phone 604 278-2770.

Bishop Duleep has recently been in the news for refraining from visiting the United Kingdom as a mark of protest following the British High Commission's policy of fingerprinting all Sri Lankans applying for British visas.

He is a member of the Anglican Oriental Orthodox International Commission which, formed in 2002, built on a long-standing history of dialogue and cooperation.