Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Aloysius Paul D’Souza has, in his Christmas message, said that the feast conveys the message of peace and love to all.
He said, “The child, Jesus, conveys that we all should live in unity and love,” and urged all that they should cultivate the virtues of patience, forgiveness and compassion.
Recalling that the diocese had built 24 houses at Mariashrama, Talapady, which were donated as Christmas gift to the poor and needy, he said that the diocese would provide Christmas meals to 100 people from various ashrams on December 28 at the Bishop House.
Stressing that the festival is not confined to one community, he said Christ was born in this world for unity, integrity and development of the entire human race, “so that we may all attain heavenly peace”. The celebration of the birth of Christ becomes more meaningful when all join together in the celebration.
Beautiful ‘Mangalore’At this juncture, he said that once-beautiful Mangalore, known for its peace and unity, is now turning into “a place of violence, communal disharmony and constant fights”. He added, “We all should unite and maintain peace and harmony, so that this beautiful city of Mangalore (Mangaluru) regains its place of peaceful co-existence in the world.”
He hoped that government officials, local MLAs, responsible administrators would make efforts to end disharmony.
The Bishop expressed deep anguish and sorrow for the children who had become victims of terrorists in Peshawar in Pakistan and prayed that God may grant strength and courage to their parents and dear ones.
