By Kampan Chinnam
Hyderabad, Dec 19, 2024: Cardinal Anthony Poola has joined the transgender community of Hyderabad, a southern Indian city, to celebrate Christmas that many say has sent a message of inclusivity and Christian love for the marginalized.
“True Christmas lies in embracing the poor and neglected, offering them acceptance and dignity,” said Cardinal Poola, the Archbishop of Hyderabad and a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The December 18 celebration was organized by the Hyderabad Archdiocese Social Service Society (HASS). Cardinal Poola distributed certificates to transgenders who completed jute bag-making training programs facilitated by the society.
He also presented sewing machines to women from Self-Help Groups and distributed Christmas gifts to all 93 transgender participants, along with members of the women SHG groups.
“This semi-Christmas celebration serves as a powerful testament to the Church’s commitment to inclusivity, spreading the message of love, hope, and dignity for all, especially those on the peripheries of society,” the cardinal added.
The society director Father Madanu Anthony said the program was “a witness to the Church’s commitment to serving marginalized communities.”
Transgender community is among the most marginalized groups, often facing discrimination and rejection and the cardinal’s gesture has sent out a “powerful message of inclusion and compassion,” Father Anthony added.
The program was part of the society’s ongoing efforts to provide alternative livelihoods to the transgender community, the priest said and added, “Our goal is to enable them to lead lives of dignity and self-reliance.”
The society trains transgenders to make paper plates, jute bags and create TG (Transgender) identity cards.
It has also supported the establishment of sustainable kirana stores that sell groceries and household items, providing transgender individuals with stable income sources and discouraging dependence on sex work and begging.
These programs aim to uplift and empower the community, enabling them to lead lives of dignity and self-reliance, Father Anthony explained.
Present on the occasion were prominent leaders of the transgender community, including Aruna, Preethi Sunanda, and Jasmine from the Telangana Trans Equality Society. They applauded the Church’s efforts to promote dignity and equality for the marginalized.
“Celebrating Christmas with the cardinal is quite memorable in my life, that will be etched deep in my heart,” said Preeti Sunanda.
Father Yeruva Joji of Karunagiri Shrine, who was also present, said the event highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and working towards a more inclusive society.
“By celebrating with the transgender community, Cardinal Poola and HASSS have shown that compassion and solidarity can transform lives and build a more just world,” he added.
According to the latest Census of 2011, Telangana has 58,000 registered transgender voters. Hyderabad is the state capital.
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