05/29/2019 Sri Lanka (International Christian Concern) – On Easter Sunday, April 21, Father Joy Mariaratnam was leading Mass at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo, Sri Lanka. During the fourth prayer of the Mass, an explosion ripped through the church, killing over 100 Christians that had gathered for worship.

Speaking to Crux, Father Mariaratnam said, “My first thought was that the transformer had gone off, or there was an electrical failure. But I then saw a head fly from one side of the shrine to the other and I knew it was a bomb blast.”

In addition to St. Anthony’s Shrine, two other churches and three hotels were targeted by suicide bombers in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. In total, over 250 people were killed by the coordinated attacks claimed by ISIS.

“The Christian community is shaken and confused; they are asking: Why were we targeted?” Father Mariaratnam explained to Crux. “You cannot even imagine the anguish and agony of our people.”

However, Father Mariaratnam and other Sri Lankan Christians are looking to their faith for comfort. “These bombs have rekindled in their hearts a desire for Jesus Christ,” Father Mariaratnam told Crux. “There is an intense thirst for faith among the people.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].