Sri Lanka, July 19 -- Many people abandon places of worship in favour of entertainment, driving a steady decline of religious life in modern society, said Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith pointed out this during a sermon, noting that churches in many developed countries also face closure as fewer people attend religious services.

People no longer come to churches, instead gathering foolishly at football stadiums and other entertainment venues in large numbers, the Cardinal stated.

He described Europe's largest cathedrals standing largely empty as a sign that faith in God diminished.

Reflecting on the French Revolution of 1789, Cardinal Malcolm observed that society increasingly moves ...