Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil expresses concern at attacks on churches and places of worship during Christmas season

The Christmas season during which the entire world celebrates the message of peace and happiness, unfortunately turned into one of fear and conflict in many parts of India due to attacks on churches and places of worship, Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church said, in a letter addressed to bishops, priests and laity members, at the conclusion of the 34^th Synod of the church that was held at St. Thomas Mount near here.

These attacks have left painful memories, and are a challenge to fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The concerted attempts to portray acts of love and kindness as efforts at forcible conversion are aimed at promoting the culture of hatred, and are hence a threat to secularism. Quoting from the Bible, the archbishop exhorted believers to trust in God’s power, and to not be afraid to spread the testimony about the Lord.

He asserted that the existence and growth of the church depended on the spiritual growth of each member. Families and parishes must uphold their faith in the right spirit, in order to fulfil one’s role in society. He further exhorted church members to live by the value that ‘Christians do not have enemies, only brothers and sisters’.

While expressing concern at the general ‘decline’ in the population of Christians, the archbishop cited the need to empower youth and families to boldly face the challenges of the present-day world. The yearning to migrate abroad is often leading to families falling into debt trap and the decline of ‘faith’, he said.