Malcolm Ranjith

Patabendige Don Albert Malcolm Ranjith (Sinhala: පටබැඳිගේ දොන් ඇල්බට් මැල්කම් රංජිත්) (born 15 November 1947), often known simply as Malcolm Ranjith or Albert Malcolm Ranjith is a Sri Lankan prelate of the Catholic Church who has been the Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka, since 2009. He was made a cardinal in 2010.

His Eminence

Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don
Cardinal, Archbishop of Colombo
ArchdioceseColombo
ProvinceColombo
SeeColombo, Sri Lanka
Appointed16 June 2009
Installed5 August 2009
PredecessorOswald Gomis
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of S. Lorenzo in Lucina
Orders
Ordination29 June 1975
by Pope Paul VI
Consecration17 June 1991
by Nicholas Marcus Fernando
Created cardinal20 November 2010
by Benedict XVI
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born
Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don

(1947-11-15) 15 November 1947
Polgahawela, British Ceylon
NationalitySri Lankan
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsDon William and Mary Winifreeda
Previous post(s)
Coat of armsAlbert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don's coat of arms

Ranjith previously served as auxiliary bishop of Colombo (1991–1995), Bishop of Ratnapura (1995–2001), Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2001–2004), Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and East Timor (2004–2005), and Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2005–2009).

Early life and education

On 29 June 1975, Malcolm Ranjith was ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter's Square. Later he joined the tutorial staff of St. Thomas' College, Kotte.[1]

Episcopal career

Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo

In 1994, Ranjith led a commission that denounced the theological work of Sri Lankan theologian Tissa Balasuriya. He charged that he had questioned original sin and the divinity of Christ, as well as supporting women's ordination. Ranjith was supported by then-Cardinal Ratzinger, who backed his position.[2]

Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and East Timor

Ranjith is the first Sri Lankan bishop to be appointed an Apostolic Nuncio. He was appointed titular archbishop of Umbriatico and the Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and to East Timor on 29 April 2004.[3]

Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship

Ranjith was appointed secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on 10 December 2005.[4]

He once said, "I'm not a fan of the Lefebvrians ... but what they sometimes say about the liturgy they say for good reason."[5]

Ranjith is fluent in ten languages namely; Italian, French, German, Hebrew, Greek, Spanish, Latin, English, Sinhala and Tamil.

Styles of
Albert Malcolm Ranjith
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeColombo

Archbishop of Colombo

On 16 June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo, naming Joseph Di Noia to replace him at the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.[6] In a letter to Archbishop Ranjith, Pope Benedict said, "I wish to express my sincere thanks for the fidelity, the commitment and competence with which you exercised that [Divine Worship secretary] office." Pope Benedict also expressed that "we have reason to be encouraged by the good you will be able to perform among the peoples of your land."[7]

Ranjith was among 34 metropolitan archbishops to receive his pallium from Pope Benedict on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June 2009.[8]

On 7 October 2009, Ranjith issued new liturgical guidelines in his diocese. These include a recommendation for "all faithful, including the religious, to receive Holy Communion reverently kneeling and on the tongue", as well as laymen being forbidden from preaching.[9]

Cardinal

On 20 October 2010, Pope Benedict XVI announced he would make Ranjith a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 20 November 2010.[10]

Ranjith participated as a cardinal-elector in the 2013 conclave which elected Pope Francis.[11]

Ranjith is a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.[12]

References
  1. "Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith: God's chosen Chief Shepherd for Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
  2. "Papabile of the Day: The Men Who Could Be Pope". National Catholic Reporter. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  3. "Rinunce e Nomine, 29.04.2004" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  4. "Rinunce e Nomine, 10.12.2005" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 10 December 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  5. "Liturgy and the poor, the treasures of the Church". Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  6. "OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS, 16 June 2009 (VIS)". 16 June 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  7. "Benedict to Ranjith: "Sincere Thanks" for Fidelity and Competence in CDW Role". newliturgicalmovement.org. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  8. "BEING A PASTOR MEANS BEING AVAILABLE TO OTHERS, 29 June 2009 (VIS)". Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  9. "..:: Archdiocese of Colombo ::". Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Cardinal electors – Conclave of March 2013 – Arranged in alphabetical order". Salvador Miranda. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  12. "NOMINA DI CARDINALI MEMBRI DEI DICASTERI DELLA CURIA ROMANA". Archived from the original on 18 January 2012.
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