BACKGROUND INFORMATION

RAJABIMA OBLATE CENTRE, established on October 7, 1987, in the Buddhist sacred city of Anuradhapura, is situated in the North Central Province (N.C.P) of Sri Lanka which has a geographical area of 10,727 km (4,142 sq miles). This area has over one million people. Culturally the vast majority in N.C.P are influenced by Buddhism. There are also Muslims, Hindus and Christians belonging to a few main line Churches and Evangelicals. Catholic population is about 15,000 and they are scattered.

Rajabima Oblate Centre was established by the then Oblate Provincial, Fr. Anselm Silva on October 27, 1987, in an old building, in consultation with the then Bishop Henry Goonewardena, OMI, the Bishop of Anuradhapura. The Centre had two main objectives: Inter-religious dialogue and a homely environment (House) for the Oblates ministering in the diocese of Anuradhapura. Other objectives included theological updating and renewal of the priests and the Consecrated persons and fostering the faith of Catholics.

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OPENING OF THE NEW BUILDING AND THE NEW SOCIO-PASTORAL

New socio-pastoral needs which had emerged in the diocese of Anuradhapura demanded new facilities and initiatives from the Oblates ministering in the diocese of Anuradhapura. Keeping alive the spirit of St. Eugene de Mazenod, our Founder, who said: “Love embraces all; for new needs, it invents new means”, the Oblates had to be inventive in N.C.P. Therefore through the initiative of the then Oblate Provincial, Fr. Clement Waidyasekara, new buildings had to be constructed to try and cater to the new needs and the new buildings were blessed on June 30, 2009 by Bishop Norbert Andradi, OMI, the present Bishop of the diocese of Anuradhapura

The Present Socio-pastoral Activities of Rajabima Oblate Centre

• The quasi-parish of St. Eugene de Mazenod at Pothanegama, Anuradhapura.
• Being chaplains to the Prison and the Hospitals
• Dialogue of life with the Buddhists
• Ecumenical Apostolate
• Children’s Apostolate (Lakrivi) in the diocese
• Mazenod College and the Promotion of Education of the poor children
• Inter-Congregational ministries (e.g the Regional Religious Unit)
• Retreats, Seminars and Accompaniment of candidates for Oblate way of life.
• Welcome and hospitality to the Oblates ministering in N.C.P
• Publications (e.g Oblate Journal, Booklets and Articles in the Dailies of Sri Lanka)

Oblates residing at Rajabima Oblate Centre

• Fr. Shane Winston de Rosayro (Parish Priest, St. Eugene’s Church, Pothanegama)
• Fr. Deleepa Jayamaha (Principal, Mazenod College, Treasurer of Rajabima Oblate Centre)
• Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, (Animator).
• Postal Address: Rajabima Oblate Centre, 519/16, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Tel: O25- 2222462

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