Jubilee opens for India’s Tribals: the merciful family changes the world
Ranchi (AsiaNews) – Millions of people around the world "are forced to flee their homes in search of safer places. Their pain is beyond description. No solution seems possible because compassion and love seem to be waning worldwide. The answer however is God’s compassion for humanity,” said Card Telesphore Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, who spoke to more than 5,000 tribal Catholics who gathered yesterday at the Cathedral of St Mary for the opening of the Holy Door.
Before the ceremony, "we gathered far from the cathedral,” the prelate told AsiaNews. “Priests, religious and faithful – thousands of people – got together to prepare for this moment. We explained what the Year of Mercy means and why the pope proclaimed this special Jubilee.”
“After reading the documents, we started the procession to the cathedral. I opened the door and I went into praying and holding the Bible. Then we began the Eucharistic celebration."
“God’s mercy is needed more than ever here, in our land,” Card Toppo explained. “Not far from here, thousands of women and girls have been forced to leave the safety of their villages to go to distant places. Scores of complaints have been filed noting that they were the victims of abuse and exploitation.”
“Without peace there is no development,” he noted. “Going through the Holy Door means discovering the infinite mercy of God who embraces all of us and goes out for a personal encounter with his children.”
At the same time, teaching mercy and understanding it "are the mission that every family must carry on,” the archbishop of Ranchi added. “Within the family, parents and children need to reflect on the concept.” They must “become a true domestic church, so that this unit can convert the parish first and eventually society. rOnly thus can we change our nation and the world."
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10/08/2016 11:50
