In a shocking revelation that has stunned the Catholic community, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith exposed how two women deceived a priest and wed inside a Sri Lankan church, igniting fierce debate over faith, LGBTQ+ rights, and the nation’s cultural future.
Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church has been rocked by an unprecedented scandal after Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, revealed that two women successfully tricked a parish priest into officiating their marriage inside a church. Speaking during a Sunday service, the Cardinal said the incident was nothing short of a wake-up call for the Church and the country.
According to Cardinal Ranjith, one of the women had undergone a transformation using male hormone treatments, which altered her appearance to the point where the priest believed she was male. Facial hair growth and other physical changes reportedly made the deception convincing enough for the ceremony to go ahead.
“One of these women had used male hormone tablets to change her appearance. The priest was deceived because she even had facial hair. This incident took place right here in Sri Lanka,” the Cardinal told the congregation, visibly disturbed by the revelation.
The Cardinal’s announcement has sparked a storm of questions within the Catholic community, raising concerns about how such an incident could happen and whether the sanctity of church sacraments is at risk of manipulation.
Cardinal Ranjith used the shocking story to reiterate the Catholic Church’s firm opposition to same-sex marriage, arguing that such unions go against the natural order of family life. “How can two men or two women lead a proper family life if they marry?” he asked, stressing what he sees as the incompatibility of same-sex unions with religious and cultural traditions.
The Archbishop also turned his criticism toward the government’s recent efforts to promote LGBTQ+ tourism as part of Sri Lanka’s economic revival strategy. While tourism is a major contributor to the economy, Cardinal Ranjith warned that encouraging LGBTQ+ tourism could erode the nation’s moral and cultural foundation.
“Sri Lanka must not allow its children and youth to become victims of foreigners who arrive here to fulfil unacceptable desires. We are unsure whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is aware of the implications, but we hope he understands the seriousness of the matter. Citizens must be vigilant against those seeking to undermine Sri Lanka’s cultural values,” he declared.
At the same time, Cardinal Ranjith struck a more nuanced tone when addressing individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. While firmly rejecting same-sex marriage, he called for compassion toward those who, in his view, are born with homosexual tendencies.
“We must not harass those born with homosexual tendencies. They should be treated with kindness and dignity. However, others should not be pressured into adopting alternative lifestyles,” he said, attempting to draw a line between tolerance and acceptance of what he described as lifestyle choices influenced by external factors.
The Archbishop went further to caution Sri Lankans against following in the footsteps of certain Western nations that, he argued, have experienced cultural decline as a result of embracing same-sex marriage and related social reforms. He warned that Sri Lanka could face similar consequences if its leaders and citizens failed to protect traditional values.
Observers note that the incident, alongside Cardinal Ranjith’s remarks, has ignited a much larger conversation in Sri Lanka about the clash between tradition and modernity. With global attitudes toward LGBTQ+ rights shifting rapidly, the Church’s strong opposition places it on a collision course with both progressive social movements and government policies designed to attract foreign investment and tourism.
This is not the first time Cardinal Ranjith has taken a hard stance on issues of morality and cultural preservation. His latest warning, however, comes at a moment when Sri Lanka is facing deep political, economic, and social pressures, making debates about identity and tradition even more intense.
For now, the Catholic Church is left grappling with the immediate scandal of how two women managed to bypass safeguards and exchange vows in a sacred ceremony. More broadly, the controversy forces the nation to confront urgent questions about faith, culture, and how Sri Lanka should navigate its future in a rapidly changing world.
It’s time archbishop woke up to reality of same sex relationships since the beginning of time. If god made them to prefer same sex who are we to judge them
Dear Mr Fernando.
Archbishop stands up to the Catholic doctrine. God made man and woman in his holy image.
You are free to have your own thoughts and belief.
But sir, don’t try to change the doctrines of the Catholic church.
Today all the maha sangas have said the same thing his Eminence said.
I hope I have not hurt you in anyway by expressing my opinion.
God bless you.
Regards
Maithri
GAY BY GOD ABOUT TIME OLD SCHOOL CATHOLICS PRIEST OR NON THIS AND RESPECT LGBTQ RIGHTS AND LIVING. ALSO THEN. CATHOLICS PRIEST WANT ABUSE UNDERAGE BOYS OR MAY BE EVEN NUNS WHO KNOWS. FORMER POPE FRANCIS WAS MORE OPEN AND WELCOMING THE GAY RIGHTS. THIS IS THE NEW WORLD ORDER OTHERS LIKE OR NOT RESPECT. AMEN. REMEMBER. GAY BY GOD NOT BY CHOICE AND STRAIGHT PEOPLE BRING GAY PEOPLE TO THE WORLD AMEN. GID CREATED BOTH. IF ALL WERE STRAIGHT TOO MUCH POPULATION ALSO ALL WERE GAY THEN NO POPULATION GROWTH SO GOD BALANCE BOTH WELL AMEN.