UCA News
Contribute

Seminarians develop Tamil studies

Language is needed for pastoral care, preaching and other facets of the pastoral ministry
Seminarians develop Tamil studies
Father Justin Gnanapragasam, Vicar General of Jaffna diocese
Published: May 13, 2011 10:55 AM GMT
Updated: May 13, 2011 10:56 AM GMT

Seminarians in Jaffna are undertaking special studies to nurture the Tamil language in Sri Lanka. Tamil seminarians gathered at St Francis Xavier seminary in Jaffna for an award ceremony and Tamil cultural festival yesterday evening for ways to develop ways to develop their  language. “Tamil, a classical language, is being endangered due to its decline in use, lack of educational support and a shift to (using) other languages. We have to save and propagate our mother language,” said Oblate Father Paul Jayanthan Pachchek from the Jaffna diocesan seminary. “We need more priests trained in advanced communicative methods of teaching Tamil,” he said. The language is needed for pastoral care, liturgy, preaching, organizing and in other facets of the pastoral ministry when there is a scarcity of Tamil scholars, he added. Jaffna Catholics including guest speakers attended the cultural events that included traditional dances, folk songs and a drama on Blessed Joseph Vaz.  Close to 70 seminarians who competed in essay writing, speech and singing competitions were awarded. The festival paid tribute to scholars for their contribution to  the Tamil language especially in the fields of theology and biblical studies. Father Justin B. Gnanapragasam, the vicar general of Jaffna diocese, said Tamil language studies have suffered because of a scarcity of Tamil scholars, as many left the country due to war.  Sri Lanka is just recovering from a three-decade long ethnic war between the Tamil rebels and the Sinhalese government. The Tamil rebels, with their stronghold in Jaffna were fighting for a separate homeland, saying their Sinhalese majority were ill-treating them and marginalizing their culture and  language. The Tamil course in the seminary includes learning new vocabulary and themes based on scripture and the liturgy. Related report Most Colombo churches now hold Tamil Masses SR14224

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia