Vatican Honors Easter Bombing Victims as Faith Witnesses

The Vatican has honored more than 100 Easter bombing victims in Sri Lanka as “witnesses of faith,” six years after the deadly attacks on April 21, 2019. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka confirmed that it added 167 of its members, who died in the coordinated suicide bombings, to the Vatican’s official register under a special category Pope Francis created in 2023.

Ceremony Held at St. Anthony’s Church

Church officials made the announcement during a solemn vigil at St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo—one of the primary targets of the attacks. Hundreds attended, including leaders from Sri Lanka’s Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities. The ceremony marked the sixth anniversary of the bombings that killed over 260 people, including 42 foreign nationals

Victims Died for Their Faith

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, said that Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, confirmed the recognition. The Vatican declared that attackers killed the victims “due to violent opposition to their faith motivated by odium fidei — hatred of the faith.” Church authorities entered their names into the official catalogue of “witnesses of the faith.”

New Category for Modern-Day Martyrs

Pope Francis introduced the new classification in 2023 for those who die while publicly professing the Catholic faith, even outside traditional martyrdom. The Vatican established a special commission to document such cases. These victims may one day be considered for beatification or sainthood.

Calls for Justice Continue

Despite the recognition, the Catholic Church continues to demand a full and transparent investigation into the attacks. The 2019 bombings were carried out by Islamic State-inspired militants from the National Thowheed Jamath group. Recent allegations suggest possible state intelligence involvement in the plot, fueling public demand for accountability.

Cardinal Ranjith also acknowledged seven non-Catholic victims “with respect and sorrow,” emphasizing unity in grief and the need for truth.