A BISHOP is defying violence in his country in keeping a pledge to make keynote visits to North and West Yorkshire.

There had been fears that Bishop Kenneth Fernando, recently retired Bishop of Colombo, might call off his visit following recent outbreaks of violence in Sri Lanka.

Worries were heightened after an attack on Colombo airport, in July, by the Tamil Tigers, which left many soldiers and guerrillas dead.

But the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds said Bishop Fernando would still keep his speaking engagements at Ripon Cathedral on Friday, September 21, at 2pm, and at Leeds Parish Church, on the same day at 8pm.

During his visit to Ripon and Leeds the retired bishop will speak on the situation in Sri Lanka and on Saturday, September 22, he will give a keynote address to the Diocesan Synod at Harrogate.

He will also preach at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday, September 23, at 9.30am.