Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 21: Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha on Thursday, December 23 in his Christmas message said stressed on the importance of instilling hope in a hopeless world.
In his address, he said, “The daily news tells us that hatred, caste based, religion based discrimination and violence are reigning in our world. Wars, destruction, pain, death and misery are hitting headlines. As Pope Francis calls it, we are having the ‘Piecemeal World War III’. The desperation and suicides are on the increase. Everything seems to be pointing to hopeless world. Only money and hunger for power seems to be the only concern. Indifference is rampant everywhere. It is a world of selfies, each one is concentrating on oneself. A true remedy and liberation is not visible.
“In this context we celebrate Christmas, the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the ‘Feast of God-with-us’. At his birth the angel announced to the shepherds: ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord’ (Lk 2: 10-11). Those shepherds were living in a society oppressed by the Roman army. Death and darkness was everywhere.
“The shepherds expected good news of freedom from oppression. But with his birth, now the focus is changed. It is not any more on the Roman emperor and his kingdom, but on one who will bring down the mighty from their thrones and raise up the lowly. Jesus will do it not by weapons but by winning the hearts of enemies through love and forgiveness, prayer and penance. He use the powerful spiritual weapons. He will live by what he teaches. He will walk the talk.
“Jesus teaches us that violence and oppression, hatred, injustice and discrimination cannot rule the world. Even if one wins power for some time by hook or crook, after his death, he will be conveniently forgotten or not loved. Only the method of winning over the enemy by loving him has eternal. Jesus' birth is a matter of great joy because he instils hope of new life. He accompanies us even today in all difficulties, to live life meaningfully.
“In our painful context, Christ is born as the ‘Prince of Peace’. Let us be sure, no peace is possible without forgiveness and love. No peace is possible in discrimination and injustice. Only love and forgiveness is the remedy. Anyone who acts on these latter ones are on the side of God.
“In them joy dawns from within. Jesus invites us to instill hope in the hopeless people. If we instill hope in any one person and help him or her, then we have done much. Let us be persons who lift the spirit of the people higher and higher. Let us fill hope in a hopeless world. Happy Christmas and joy-filled New Year 2024,” he said.
Vicar general Fr Maxim Noronha, Fr J B Saldanha, Roy Castelino, PRO of Mangalore diocese and Dr John D'Silva, diocesan pastoral parishad secretary, and Elias Fernandes were present.