By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Dec 24, 2023: The head of the Catholic Church in India on Christmas eve called for prayers for war-torn regions of the world, including Manipur in the country.
“In the spirit of Christmas, I earnestly request your prayers for those in violence-affected and war-torn regions of our world, including the state of Manipur in our beloved country, and the conflict zones of Israel-Palestine war, and Ukraine,” says the Christmas message from Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
Ethnic violence has raged in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur since May 3, rendering thousands homeless.
The prelate wants the “collective prayers” to become a beacon of hope and healing for those enduring the harsh realities of conflict.
“As we celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas and welcome the dawn of the New Year, I, along with all the Catholic bishops in India, extend heartfelt greetings to each one of you. May this season be filled with the love, peace, and joy that the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ brings into our lives.”
Archbishop Thazhath prays for the coming year to “witness a transformation, where peace triumphs over discord, and compassion reigns over cruelty, fostering understanding and harmony in the troubled areas of Manipur and bringing solace to the people of Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine.”
The Indian Church leader wants those celebrating the festival to pause to reflect on Christmas’ true essence. “It is not merely about Santa Claus and Christmas trees adorned with glittering ornaments. Christmas is, above all, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose life embodies the principles of love, justice, and compassion.”
The archbishop reminds people that Jesus came to the world not “as a mighty ruler,” but as “a humble child” in a manger.
“His life was a witness to selfless love, reaching out to the marginalized, healing the wounded, and advocating for justice. As we celebrate this divine occasion, let us dedicate ourselves to the teachings of Christ—love one another as He loved us, seek justice for the oppressed, and work towards fostering peace and harmony in our Motherland.”
He urges people to transcend religious boundaries and join hands “as brothers and sisters of one global family.
“Regardless of our faith traditions, let us come together to build bridges of understanding and cooperation. The challenges we face as one nation—be they social, economic, or environmental—are best met with unity, compassion, and collective action. Let the spirit of Christmas unite us in our shared humanity,” he asserted.
The archbishop Andrews Thazhath’s reminder to people that Jesus came to the world not “as a mighty ruler,” but as “a humble child” in a manger, is a very timely one. But he himself behaved “as a mighty ruler,” when he was Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and tried to put an end to the long-standing controversy over Mass in the archdiocese. He threatened the dissenting priests (400 in number) and parishioners with Excommunication!
Readers may refer to mattersindia.com report captioned “Disobeying papal delegate means ouster from Church: Thazhath” dated 20 August 2023 where M.L. Satyan had commented: “Well, the prelates are mere preachers. They NEVER or RARELY practice what they preach. The CBCI President must understand that “Dictatorship” style of functioning will lead the church to “Disaster”. He must have the humility and openness to have a sincere “Dialogue” with the priests and laity.” As readers will see, there is a yawning gap between the Archbishop’s precept and what he actually practises.
A frank question: How many bishops and priests have read, understood and implemented the “call for prayers for war-torn regions of the world, including Manipur in the country” by the President of the CBCI?
Here is a classic example. I attended the Christmas Vigil Mass on 24th December in a parish church in Bengaluru. The priest who celebrated the Mass preached on the “six types of kisses – kiss of cheating, kiss of reverence, kiss of reconciliation, kiss of acceptance, kiss of repentance and kiss of betrayal” quoting examples from the Old and New Testaments. Neither the priest prayed for peace in the war-torn regions of the world and Manipur nor there was any intention included in the prayer of the faithful. So… my question remains a million-dollar question.
What a terrible sermon at the Christmas eve?