Social justice is the guiding theme of Thai Catholics Lent

A time of prayer, renunciation and charity, but also of reflection "on our union with God, our brothers and sisters and all creatures." This is the call contained in the message for Lent written by Mgr. Philip Banchong Chaiyara, Redemptorist, president of the Catholic Commission for emergencies, or Caritas Thailand, of the Conference of Bishops.

Lent, he writes, is a moment in which "the Church invites us all to reflect seriously on our lives, using the Gospel as our guide." Bishop Chaiyara stresses the theme that the Thai Church has suggested for Lent this year: social justice, citing the teaching of St. Paul to the Romans “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe "(Romans 3: 21-22). And the concrete justice is "the understanding that all creatures have been given by God to all humanity (cf. Gen 1:28). No one is allowed to use them more than necessary. If we do this, we are depriving others, especially the needy. "  

And since the Thai society is familiar with several cases that show the "crisis of union" between God and man, Mgr. Chaiyara encourages Catholics to live in a closer union with God in prayer and sacrifice, so that every believer can live in justice and honesty, willingly and joyfully accepting the will of God, especially towards the needy, orphans, widows.

In addition to organizing retreats for the faithful of each parish for a day, a weekend or the whole week, acts of charity programs were launched through Catholic schools, or further away, to clarify their understanding of the true spirit of Lent.