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Bishop Dr Peter Saldanha speaks of justice, dialogue in Christmas message

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Mangaluru: Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha on Wednesday, issued a message for Christmas calling the people to creatively develop two crucial things: the culture of encounter and the culture of dialogue with people of different religious faiths and interests.

Speaking about the Christmas mass, the Bishop informed that the number of masses for Christmas has been increased so that everyone can attend the prayer. Social distancing and other guidelines issued by the government will be followed. Christmas mass at the Rosario Cathedral will be held at 7.30 PM on December 24.

In his message, the Bishop said that Christmas unfolds to us a great truth: God has decided to become a human child, which brings to fulfilment the prophecy of Isaiah in the Bible: “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given” (Isaiah 9: 6). “We feel loved when a child wants to come to us and play. God was called a tremendous mystery, a frightening reality, but now Jesus has shown that he is also a loving child,” he said.

“Jesus calls us to grow from our narrow vision and broaden the horizon, to embrace all of humanity as our brothers and sisters. He challenges us to open the doors of our hearts and build bridges to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate all the vulnerable people, the poor, and the abandoned,” he added.

The Bishop stated that Christmas invites us to creatively develop two crucial things: the culture of encounter and the culture of dialogue with people of different religious faiths and interests. “The goal of these meetings and dialogues is to foster friendship, peace, harmony and to share the spiritual and moral experiences in a spirit of truth and love. Our hearts long for justice and when injustice is done, we are deeply saddened. Today, farmers and human rights activists call us to stand for truth and justice. Let us intently listen to their voices. Conflict resolution is possible with loving dialogue with the other. Let us nurture the culture of encounter and culture of dialogue to foster brotherhood and social friendship. We are one family of God,” he added.

Speaking about Christmas in the current scenario, Bishop Saldanha said that this year, Christmas celebrations have been reduced to simplicity.

“What we save must be shared with the poor. Jesus who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger is a symbol of the poor, who go to bed hungry because they have no food, the homeless that sleep on our streets because they do not have a roof, the unemployed who struggle to maintain their families because they have lost their jobs, those affected by Covid and other diseases and do not have money to pay for their medicines, parents who struggle to educate their children because they cannot provide them with the necessary means. Let us engage with the little ones. That gives us immense happiness,” he said.

About the work of the Diocese during the lockdown, the Bishop said that Christians in the Mangalore Diocese helped the poor with donations of cash and kind to the tune of Rs 1.5 crores. “This year, we are going to focus on uplifting the poor by helping them repair their houses and provide for other facilities. Let us join hands to strengthen the weak,” he added.

Roy Castelino – P.R.O., Rev. Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo –P.R.O., Fr Richard D’Souza, Director CCC and Elias Fernandes, Media adviser were present.

Bishop Dr Peter Saldanha speaks of justice, dialogue in Christmas message
Bishop Dr Peter Saldanha speaks of justice, dialogue in Christmas message

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