Priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, passed away at the age of 81. He had managed to meet with the leadership of the Tamil Tigers and lay the groundwork for the cessation of hostilities. He also initiated various training programs and founded organizations for Sri Lankan development and interfaith dialogue.
Colombo () – Yesterday a funeral Mass for Fr. Oswald Bernard Firth, who died on June 19. Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, he was director of Caritas Sri Lanka between 1990 and 1995 and worked for a long time for the pacification of the country. Yesterday’s religious service was led by Fr. Rohan De Silva, director of the Center for Society and Religion (CSR): “In his 81 years of life, today he walks again towards the God who called him to spend almost 60 years as a priest”, said the father during his homily . “Even though you have left us, your words make us go on with our lives. To make our lives enjoyable, to make this society a more just and equitable society, to build a world where everyone can live in peace, strengthen us by praying for us before the Lord”, continued Fr. Rohan. “Father Firth came into the world and fulfilled his only mission: to preach the Gospel to the poor, to free the captives and the oppressed.”
The p. Oswald was a trainer, academic, activist and director of Caritas at a time of great political and economic turmoil in Sri Lanka, including the development gap between the country’s regions and growing inequality due to the civil war. He managed to meet with the leadership of the Tamil Tigers well before the 2003 peace agreement, along with other civil society leaders, by entering his headquarters in the northern forests of the country. On that occasion, he managed to free ten hostages and lay the foundations for the cessation of hostilities.
The priest had also started an important training program for 700 animators, chosen by the diocesan centers, on the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. Among the various positions he held, he was a founding member of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) and the National Peace Council (NPC), and co-chairman of the Interfaith Foundation for Peace.
“Father Firth was the architect of NAFSO and many other civil society organizations in Sri Lanka. We cannot forget how he was instrumental in protecting civil activists not only in the north, but also in the south, during the revolt of 87-89. We pray that Father Firth achieves eternal life,” says the note published by NAFSO in recent days.
Likewise, the CNP declared that “the National Peace Council mourns the death of one of its founding members, Father Oswald B. Firth. We remember his service to the country and its people, especially the disadvantaged and excluded, with much love. and appreciate.”
Fr. Oswald was born in Nugegoda on September 13, 1942. He joined the Oblates in 1961 and was ordained in Rome on December 20, 1967. He received his doctorate in humanities from the University of Strasbourg in 1973 and was first assistant general for the mission of the congregation in Rome from 2004 to 2010. He ministered in Australia from 2011 to 2014, where he also taught philosophy and worked in formation at Saint Mary’s Seminary. After returning to Sri Lanka for five years, he returned to minister in Australia for 18 months beginning in March 2019, at Dernancourt parish.
