Called from busy Colombo to peaceful Hobart

By Catherine Sheehan

After 23 years working in the field of education in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Fr Bernard Perera has been enjoying the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of Hobart since his arrival in August.

Having left behind his busy life in Sri Lanka, with its bustling population of 22 million, Fr Bernard said he appreciated the orderliness and cleanliness of suburban Australia, which he refers to as good “discipline”.

“It’s very relaxing in a way… and then I also really love the discipline, and then also the very silent atmosphere which I’m experiencing at the moment,” said Fr Bernard, who has been a priest for 33 years.

Currently residing at the Cathedral presbytery in Hobart, Fr Bernard has been appointed Administrator of St Mary’s Cathedral Parish, a role he will take up in mid-January next year.

Born in Colombo, Fr Bernard grew up in a devout Catholic family in his hometown of Kelaniya, just six kilometres from the capital. As a young boy he was an altar server at his local parish and spent a great deal of time assisting the priests and cleaning the church.

He entered the minor seminary at the age of 12 after his father suggested he might like to become a priest.

“I remember I just thought about it, and then said, ‘Yes, why not?’ And I applied for the seminary admission.”

Out of 100 candidates who applied for admission to the minor seminary, he was one of only 15 selected.

He was ordained a priest on 28 July 1990 and two years later was appointed a parish priest.

He studied sacred music for three years in Rome. A skilled musician, Fr Bernard can sing and plays several instruments.

At the request of his bishop he began working in the government education sector in Colombo and taught mathematics, IT, religion, economics, music and science and eventually became a school principal.

As he neared retirement age for the education sector, Fr Bernard wrote to several bishops overseas seeking a new situation in which to minister to the faithful.

Archbishop Julian was the only one to reply, accepting his offer to relocate.

“Since the invitation was accepted by Archbishop Julian, I thought I would visit Australia,” Fr Bernard said.

He retired from his role of 17 years as a school principal and moved to Hobart.

Fr Bernard said the friendliness and compassion of the locals had also made an impression on him, particularly “the respect and the honour” they extend towards others.

“Australians are very much advanced in the sense that they are very approachable,” he said. “You can talk to them and get any help.”

Fr Bernard said he was looking forward to ministering to the faithful of Hobart and that he felt called to his current role.

“God has called me, and wherever he sends me, I have to go,” he said.