From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 4: Quick on the heels of the observation of the Year of Faith by the Catholic Church all over the world, the Bangalore Archdiocese has decided to observe an Year of Reconciliation from March 5, 2014 to February 13, 2015 to coincide with the Platinum Jubilee of the Diocese of Bangalore, which was erected 75 years ago.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers” is the main theme chosen for this Year of Reconciliation, Archbishop of Bangalore Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras said
In partnership with clergy, religious, lay faithful and all people of good will, the Archdiocese of Bangalore has initiated this Year of Reconciliation by acknowledging the negative impacts and stereotypes that resulted due to various factors that are causing misunderstanding and disunity among us and through concerted efforts to bring in true harmony, understanding and unity among us at all levels, he said.
The Archbishop has requested all the parish priests, heads of the institutions and the religious communities in the Archdiocese to take the initiative in organizing liturgical and para-liturgical services, and other programmes to celebrate the Year of Reconciliation meaningfully.
The main purpose of declaring this Year of Reconciliation is to establish true Christian fellowship and to promote a true familial spirit among the various groups in the Archdiocese, according to an official press release issued by Rev Fr A S Anthony Swamy, Chancellor and Public Relations Officer of the Archdiocese.
''We are called to be sons and daughters of God and we could enjoy this privilege only when we undergo the process of personal and collective reconciliation and healing, witness and advance with a greater shared understanding of our intimate union with the Triune God and our Christian bonding with others established and strengthened by the sacramental life. All of us should take interest in promoting reconciliation through a year-long initiative as a way to mend the past, build shared understanding and create a legacy for meaningful change in the Archdiocese,” the press release said.
During this Year of Reconciliation, we affirm the invitation of Pope Francis to organize “penitential celebrations, particularly during Lent, in which all can ask for God’s forgiveness, especially for sins against faith, Christian fellowship and witnessing.”
All of us are encouraged to go to confession regularly as a significant part of our spiritual lives to experience inner healing and transformation. Since the graces of the sacrament are so similar to the purpose of the New Evangelization that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had said.
Pope Francis also encourages people to go to confession frequently to form one’s conscience and to experience God’s mercy and compassion, which would automatically enable us to share the same mercy and compassion with others.
Posters and prayer cards will be distributed to all the parishes and institutions during this week. Kindly have the Prayer for Reconciliation recited every day in your families, communities and parishes, which are also requested to display the banner of the Year of Reconciliation at a prominent place for the parish/community members to see and reflect on the theme, the press release said.