The decision whether to hold the Madhu feast this year as usual or cancel celebrations will depend on Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar. The bishop said yesterday that the feast would be held only if the government declared the church and the surrounding areas a “no war zone”, through a gazette notification, and the LTTE gave a reassurance that it would respect the “no-war zone” ruling.The feast of Madhu attracts thousands of pilgrims and worshipers every year.
Bishop Joseph told The Sunday Times that the decision as to when the sacred statue of Madhu could be returned to the church and the feast be held lay with him, as bishop of the diocese. He said he had made his decision known when he met with a ministerial delegation, led by Christian Affairs Minister Milroy Fernando, earlier this week. The delegation has expressed a strong desire to see the statue returned and the annual feast be held as scheduled, on August 15.
Meanwhile, Bishop Joseph was firm about the conditions necessary for celebrating the festival. “I cannot allow anyone to take political advantage of the situation,” he said. “I need assurances from both sides before the feast is held.”
The bishop said the statue was being presently housed at Bishop’s House, in Mannar, but pointed out that the Madhu church parish priest and four other priests, two nuns and a church employee had yet to return to Mannar.
Bishop Joseph said he had made a request three months ago to Security Forces Wanni Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya to allow the parish priest to return to the church and resume his church duties and give the go-ahead for repairs to the church to be carried out, but so far there had been no response. The bishop said he had repeated his request to the Army authorities last week, and was told he would have to make a fresh request.
Christian Affairs Minister Milroy Fernando told The Sunday Times that the bishop’s request for the creation of a “no war zone” – of a radius of two-and-a-half kilometres around the church – would be conveyed to the government.
“We are preparing to celebrate the feast on the 15th, but the bishop says more work needs to be done before we can go ahead with the celebrations. I am trying to get clearance to allow the parish priest concerned to visit the church,” he said.
“Whatever the decision, whether to go ahead with the feast or not, I will be present in Madhu on August 15,” the minister added.
The areas surrounding the Madhu church were cleared by the security forces in a series of military operations in April. The church was badly damaged during the fighting. More than 5,000 residents living in the vicinity of the Madhu church fled into LTTE-controlled areas during the Army-LTTE skirmishes. | 
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