Card. Alencherry: Abandon extravagance to help those suffering from the crisis
A letter from the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church on the feast of St. Thomas. Father Jose: “To face the imminent threat of the food crisis, priests like me are invited to go with the people to cultivate the land available in the parishes. No land should be left unused."
Cochin (AsiaNews) - Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, is urging the priests and faithful of the Church to be simple in their lifestyle. In the letter published on the occasion of the "Feast of the Syro-Malabar Church" on July 3, the cardinal urges everyone to abandon extravagance and luxury life.
Every year on the feast of St. Thomas, founder of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Alecherry sends his message to all members. This year, in the particular context of Covid 19, the cardinal invited the bishops and parish priests not to spend anything on new initiatives. Existing ones must be suspended to be in tune with people who suffer from the economic crisis.
Jose Mullakariyil, professor at St. Berchman's College in Changanacherry, Kerala, commented to AsiaNews that this letter comes in light of the economic crisis that the whole nation is suffering. Cardinal Alencherry's words are exactly in line with the fact that of Pope Francis has taught the whole world to simplicity.
Jose confirms that the Cardinal's invitation is to contribute to rebuild society. “To face the imminent threat of the food crisis, priests like me are invited to go with the people to cultivate the land available in the parishes. No land should be left unused. "
The Kerala government recently invited everyone to spend time and energy to be self-sufficient in food production. While almost all industries are weakened or in absolute crisis, many people in India are returning to agriculture.
The 75-year-old cardinal continues to remind everyone that charitable activities inspired by God's love must be the hallmark of a Christian. In Kerala alone, among all the states of India, more than 100,000 migrants have returned since the beginning of May. And most of them are jobless. The cardinal invites everyone to join the Kerala government to reintegrate these expatriates in better conditions.
The cardinal's letter should be read in all parishes that celebrate mass on Sunday, according to government guidelines.
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15/07/2023 18:02
26/11/2020 16:44
