• Bishop Valence Mendis reflects in ‘Out of the Depths’ 

For more than four decades, Bishop Valence Mendis has served the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, spending nearly 20 years as the Bishop of Chilaw before assuming his current role as Bishop of Kandy. 

Throughout that time, he has not only guided communities in faith but also reflected deeply on the social, cultural, and moral questions shaping the lives of ordinary people. 

His latest publication, ‘Out of the Depths,’ is a culmination of those reflections, a collection of essays that brings together themes ranging from spirituality and counselling to social justice, ecology, interreligious dialogue, and sustainable development.

Rather than presenting theology in isolation, ‘Out of the Depths’ invites readers to consider how faith intersects with everyday life. It is a book born from experience, written over years of pastoral ministry, and inspired by the people Bishop Mendis has encountered along the way.

Speaking about the publication, Bishop Mendis shared with The Sunday Morning Brunch that the book continued a tradition he began a decade ago. “I did a similar thing for the 10th anniversary as well, 10 years ago, all based on articles that I wrote during that period.”

While his earlier publication gathered writings from his first decade as a bishop, ‘Out of the Depths’ marks another milestone, bringing together a fresh collection of articles written during the following 10 years. Alongside his own essays, the volume also includes contributions from others, including an article by a Buddhist scholar and another by Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, who ordained him 20 years ago. These additions reflect the collaborative and reflective spirit of the publication.

Faith and human life

At first glance, the subjects explored in the book appear remarkably diverse. Readers encounter discussions on faith, counselling, social justice, ecological responsibility, interreligious dialogue, and even the role religion can play in economic prosperity. Yet for Bishop Mendis, these are not disconnected themes. 

“This has been part of my pastoral life for the last 20 years,” he explained. “Our religion is really talking about faith, as well as human life and what affects life.”

That simple observation captures the essence of ‘Out of the Depths’. Rather than treating religion as something confined to church walls, Bishop Mendis argues that faith must engage with the realities people face every day. Poverty, injustice, family struggles, education, peace, and the environment all become part of the Church’s mission because they directly affect human dignity.

Much of the inspiration behind the collection comes from Bishop Mendis’ 19 years leading the Diocese of Chilaw. It was there that many of the issues explored in the book emerged not as abstract ideas but as lived realities witnessed through pastoral work.

“What inspires me to write is the condition of life of the people – the poverty and the injustices caused by the environmental and ecological aspects,” he said.

These experiences shaped many of the essays included in the volume. They also reinforced what Bishop Mendis describes as one of the Church’s most important responsibilities, which is speaking courageously in defence of justice. 

“The Church is authentic when it is holding a prophetic role,” he said, elaborating further by defining that prophetic mission in simple but powerful terms. “The prophetic role of the Church is to stand for truth and justice.”

For Bishop Mendis, this prophetic responsibility requires religious leaders not only to preach spiritual truths but also to acknowledge the challenges facing society. Whether addressing inequality, environmental degradation, or the struggles of marginalised communities, the Church cannot remain silent.

“We have to go beyond our limited scope and humanity, and speak about what is positive and also highlight what is not positive so that those who are responsible will open their eyes and ears to the people’s issues,” he said. 

This commitment to engaging with real social concerns is evident throughout the book. Rather than offering theoretical discussions, the essays encourage readers to think critically about the society they inhabit and the role each individual plays within it.

Life education 

One chapter that Bishop Mendis believes resonates strongly with contemporary readers addresses counselling and what he prefers to describe as “life education”. While conversations around mental health have become increasingly common in Sri Lanka, Bishop Mendis approaches the subject through the lens of pastoral care and personal development.

He recalled establishing a counselling centre in Marawila several years ago specifically to respond to the growing emotional and psychological challenges experienced by families, students, and young people. “I opened a counselling centre, precisely in response to this, to help students, children, and families face various challenges in life while maintaining a good mental equilibrium,” he said. 

Interestingly, Bishop Mendis deliberately avoids reducing the conversation to the language of illness. “There is a growing awareness of these avenues and people do make use of them,” he said. “We conduct programmes even in schools – life education and self-awareness.”

His emphasis reflects a broader philosophy that prevention, self understanding, and supportive communities are just as important as intervention. The Church, he believes, has an important role to play in helping individuals build resilience long before they reach crisis point.

The dialogue of life

Another significant theme running through ‘Out of the Depths’ is interreligious dialogue, a subject especially relevant in Sri Lanka’s multicultural and multi-faith society.

Bishop Mendis believes that genuine harmony between religious communities is essential not only for peaceful coexistence but also for national development. “Since we have four major religions, the harmony of the religions has a great role to play in promoting peace and justice in the country.”

Rather than viewing dialogue as formal theological debate, he describes it as something much more practical. “It is basically the dialogue of life,” he explained.

Whether neighbours in a village or colleagues in a workplace, Sri Lankans from different faith traditions already share everyday life together. The challenge, he said, was to nurture respect and cooperation rather than division. “Our entire culture is strengthened and nourished by religious cultures.”

Recognising that religious traditions have shaped Sri Lanka’s identity for centuries, Bishop Mendis argues that mutual respect is fundamental to preserving both peace and national unity.

Among the more intriguing essays in the collection is one exploring the relationship between religion and economic prosperity. At first glance, the two may seem unrelated, yet Bishop Mendis believes religious values provide the moral foundation upon which sustainable development depends.

“Religions can provide the background or foundation for the development of any society,” he said. Drawing upon the Catholic Church’s long tradition of social teaching, he noted that economic development could not be separated from justice, dignity, and concern for the common good.

For Bishop Mendis, genuine development is not measured purely by financial growth but by the wellbeing of communities. Addressing poverty, promoting fairness, and encouraging ethical leadership ultimately create stronger societies.

These ideas are particularly relevant at a time when Sri Lanka continues to navigate economic recovery and social change. Rather than offering political solutions, Bishop Mendis invites readers to consider the moral values that underpin lasting progress.

An invitation to reflect on the future

Not every essay in ‘Out of the Depths’ emerged from long-term reflection. Some were written in response to specific historical moments, including the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Reflecting on the collection, Bishop Mendis explained that his writings were guided by what he described as “reading the signs of the times”. The phrase captures his broader philosophy as both writer and pastor. Each essay seeks to respond to the realities of a particular moment while remaining rooted in enduring values.

Although many of the essays draw upon his own experiences, Bishop Mendis is careful not to present the book as a personal memoir. “I must say that nothing is personal,” he remarked. Instead, the writings are grounded in his encounters with communities and shaped by the needs they expressed over many years of ministry.

Ultimately, Bishop Mendis hopes readers approach ‘Out of the Depths’ not simply as a religious publication but as an invitation to reflect on the future of Sri Lankan society. 

Underlying everything is one central conviction. “Our life is for the love of God and for the love of people.” That love, Bishop Mendis insists, transcends every social, religious, and cultural boundary. “Because we love everybody, love does not know limits.”

It is perhaps the most fitting summary of the message running through ‘Out of the Depths’. While the essays explore a wide range of issues, from counselling and ecology to social justice and interfaith dialogue, they are ultimately united by a belief that faith must always serve humanity.

Despite having authored two collections of essays spanning two decades of episcopal ministry, Bishop Mendis remains remarkably modest about his work. Asked whether writing has always been a passion, he smiled and responded simply, saying: “Correct, but I am no great writer.”

Yet ‘Out of the Depths’ suggests otherwise. It is not a book that seeks literary acclaim. Instead, it offers thoughtful reflections born from decades spent listening to people, witnessing hardship, and accompanying communities through moments of hope and uncertainty. Its strength lies not in elaborate prose but in its sincerity.

For readers of faith, it offers spiritual reflection grounded in real life. For those outside religious circles, it presents a compassionate perspective on some of the most pressing issues confronting society today – justice, peace, human dignity, environmental stewardship, and the importance of caring for one another.

In bringing together these reflections, Bishop Mendis reminds readers that the deepest questions of faith are inseparable from the realities of everyday life. And perhaps that is precisely why ‘Out of the Depths’ deserves to be read, not merely as a collection of essays, but as an invitation to reflect on what kind of society Sri Lanka hopes to become.