GARDEN OF EDEN

Southland Times, Issue 23678, 29 November 1938, Page 6

GARDEN OF EDEN

CLAIMS OF CEYLON SUPPORTED BENEDICTINE MISSIONARY (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, November 28. While speculation is rife among some scholars about the existence or location of the Garden of Eden, there are others who advocate various countries’ claims as the region referred to in Genesis. The case for Ceylon, which is supported by many Cingalese, was made by the Very Rev. Father D. J. M. Berenger, 0.5.8., of Kandy, Ceylon, who is a through passenger in the Niagara, which arrived at Auckland today. Father Berenger, who was bom in Ceylon 66 years ago, lives up to the reputation of the Benedictines for culture and is an eminent archaeologist and geologist who has travelled in many lands. “Ceylon in many lands is known as the Garden of Eden,” said Father Berenger. “One of the highest mountains is known as Adam’s Peak and there is also a bridge called Adam’s Bridge. These facts are part of a chain of evidence who goes to show Ceylon must have been the Garden of Eden. There are any amount of snakes there.” Another name for Ceylon was Ophir, said Father Berenger. The Arabs called it Serendib and the Greeks Taprobane. Ophir was the land from which the sailors of King Solomon brought him ivory, ‘ peacock feathers, sandal wood and precious gems for his temple. • Interested in philology, general culture and several branches of science, Father Berenger has been round the world three times and is on his way to Europe for the sixth time. He is bound for Rome. He has been a missionary in Ceylon, where the Roman Catholics number about one in 10 of the population.