By Adolf
The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is witnessing a quiet but significant shift, one that raises serious questions about its current leadership and its approach to spiritual guidance. At the center of this unfolding narrative is Prophet Jerome, whose increasing influence among the faithful appears to be growing in parallel to the dissatisfaction with the formal Church hierarchy. But why is this happening, and what does it reveal about the state of the Church today?
A large part of the answer lies in the conduct of the Church leadership itself. Under the guidance of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the hierarchy seems to have lost sight of its fundamental purpose: to be spiritual shepherds of the people. Instead, the Church appears preoccupied with internal politics, changing regimes, and involvement in disputes that have little to do with faith. This preoccupation has left ordinary Catholics feeling neglected, spiritually disconnected, and increasingly drawn toward alternative figures like Prophet Jerome, who promise guidance and attention.
Failure of Cardinal Ranjith
The image of Cardinal Ranjith—always accompanied by armed bodyguards and a backup vehicle—signals authority, but also distance. To many clergy and followers alike, he is seen as unapproachable. There are complaints that he favors certain priests while marginalizing others, creating a cohort around him that insulates him from the wider community of followers. Such conduct stands in stark contrast to the lives of saintly predecessors like Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando and Cardinal Corray, whose leadership was defined by humility, accessibility, and genuine care for the people. Their example reminds the faithful that spiritual authority is earned through service, not ceremony or security.
Prophet Jerome, in this context, has emerged as a figure the faithful can relate to. He represents attention, connection, and a form of spiritual service that the formal hierarchy currently seems unable to provide. Yet, it is not merely the personality of Jerome that attracts people—it is the gap left by a Church that, while administratively powerful, appears spiritually distant. In attempting to consolidate authority through fear or exclusivity, the hierarchy risks alienating those it is meant to shepherd, creating space for alternative leaders to step in.
The Church, however, does not lack clever minds. Jerome may be perceived as astute or strategic, but cleverness alone is not sufficient for true spiritual leadership. The Church requires leaders who embody the principles of service, humility, and guidance. Late Pope Francis repeatedly emphasized the need for pastoral care that places the faithful at the center, leading by example and fostering accessibility and compassion. Sri Lanka’s Church leadership today seems far from this ideal, leaving the faithful searching for spiritual fulfillment elsewhere.
Expectation of the Church
If the Church is to reclaim its moral and spiritual authority, it needs a fresh approach—one that re-centers the followers, values transparency, and fosters genuine engagement with clergy and laity alike. Without such reform, the rise of figures like Prophet Jerome may not just continue but accelerate, as the faithful naturally gravitate toward leadership that reflects their spiritual needs. There is a real risk that, should the Church remain complacent, Jerome could become the de facto “Cardinal” in the eyes of the people, regardless of formal ecclesiastical titles.
Ultimately, the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is at a crossroads. It must decide whether it will continue a model of leadership characterized by hierarchy, exclusivity, and political maneuvering, or whether it will embrace a renewed vision of spiritual service, humility, and accessibility that truly mirrors the teachings of Christ and the standards set by Late Pope Francis and his prodigy Pope Leo. The time for reflection and reform is now—before the faithful turn decisively to leaders like Jerome who embody what the Church itself has neglected to nurture.
