While the eyes of the world are fixed on the Holy Land, spare a thought for those in Sri Lanka where the latest attacks have resulted in:

• a Catholic Church being accidentally bombed killing 15
• a former children's home being bombed killing 61 schoolgirls and injuring another 129
• a bomb exploding in the capital Colombo, near where the Pakistani High Commissioner was passing through

Unfortunately the Catholic Church has not been immune from ethnic division with bishops in the south, predominantly of Sinhalese extraction, failing to place religion before race and speak out against the atrocities being committed by both sides. Even when Catholic aid groups like Caritas voice their concerns, these bishops seem to be more interested in supporting themselves like the Buddhist monks who were part of a mob which attacked an orphanage run by the Dutch Reformed Church because of plans to expand their facilities. So much for practicing tolerance and seeking peace!!