Rare Photo of Stephen De Silva- the Former Lay Trustee of the Independent Catholic Church Found
Abel Mathew Alex – Guest Contributor- Metropolitan Alvares Julius (Western Rite Orthodox) Research Project (MARP) – 02/09/2024
Colombo-Sri Lanka: A rare photograph of Stephen De Silva, the second lay trustee of the Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon, Goa, and India (Western Rite Orthodox) headed by Metropolitan-Archbishop Alvares Julius, has been discovered. He was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Independent Catholic Movement in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
This significant find was made possible through the ongoing efforts of the Metropolitan Alvares Julius Research Project (MARP) and the support of Stephen Silva’s family in August 2024. We extend our sincere gratitude to Ms. Florence Williams for her support and guidance in locating the photo.
We are particularly pleased to publish this discovery on his birthday, September 2nd, in honour of his legacy. MARP considers this a milestone in understanding the crucial role of laypeople in the administration of Western Rite movements within the Orthodox Church.
Stephen De Silva – Brief Biography
Stephen de Silva, born on September 2, 1851, was a lawyer, social activist, and founding member of the Independent Catholic Mission (ICM), later the Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon, Goa, and India. He played a pivotal role in maintaining correspondence between the Independent Catholic Church in Ceylon, the Malankara Church and the Syriac Patriarchate, as documented by private sources in Ceylon. After the death of Dr. P.M. Lisboa Pinto, Silva assumed the position of trustee of the Independent Catholic Movement in 1903. During his tenure, the Church faced significant challenges, including opposition from Roman Catholics and a cholera epidemic that claimed the lives of many ICM priests. As Archbishop Julius’s health declined, de Silva sought assistance from the Malankara Orthodox Church to consecrate new bishops and priests but received no support, leaving only two priests to serve over 10,000 faithful across multiple churches.
In a desperate attempt to save the Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon from disintegration, Stephen de Silva communicated with Right Rev. Gregorio Aglipay, the Chief Founder of the Independent Catholic Church of the Philippines. Dr. Adrian Herman of Bonn University uncovered two letters de Silva wrote to the Philippine church, reflecting his deep frustration and helplessness as he sought assistance for the struggling Independent Catholic community in Ceylon.
In addition to his pastoral contributions, Stephen de Silva actively participated in the Ceylon labour movement and trade unions. He also authored a 30-page book in Spanish titled Devoción de Santa Vía Cruz before passing away on July 1, 1916. Figures like Stephen Silva became the strong pillars of Western Rite Orthodox movements, and their efforts deserve further exploration to fully appreciate the role of laypeople in the Church’s administration.
To learn more about the Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon Goa and India, please consider reading the following books:
- Western Rites of Syriac-Malankara Orthodox Churches (Part-I) by Dr Ajesh T Philip & George Alexander
- Western Rites of Syriac-Malankara Orthodox Churches (Part II) by Dr Ajesh T Philip & George Alexander
- As Far as the East is from the West by Abba Seraphim
- True Catholicism in Colonial South Asia by Wei Jiang
Source:
OCP-COS-MARP
