Colombo Archbishop invites Christians to celebrate Christmas in a way without humiliating the poor

The Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said that because of the current difficult economic situation in Sri Lanka, there is no space for the Catholic people to celebrate Christmas this year in a grand manner as it is celebrated in other countries of the world or Sri Lanka celebrated in the past.

The Archbishop stated this at the press conference held yesterday (December 19) evening at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo to comment on the position of the Catholic Church regarding the upcoming Christmas celebration and the lack of response to the letter sent by the Catholic Church to the President.

Archbishop Cardinal Ranjith stated that the Catholic people have had to spend this Christmas very difficult in the severe economic collapse in Sri Lanka. He said that it was mentioned in a report that a family with two parents and two children spends 120000.00 per month to prepare breakfast, lunch, and their dinner.

“The monthly income of an average family in Sri Lanka is only 80000.00 rupees, but the income of most average families is lower than that. Therefore, not only the Catholics but also the common people of other religions are living a very difficult life during this period as the monthly charges for water, electricity, and gas are very high.”

He said that many people in occupations such as doctors, accountants, and technicians have left the country due to their inability to live their usual lives in the very high wages and existing debt economy, and thus the country is showing a tendency to become more impoverished and helpless.

“I can’t believe that we can have a ‘happy Christmas’ in this kind of atmosphere. On the one hand, the challenge we receive from Christmas is that Jesus Christ was born in a very poor way and shows us to spend Christmas without unnecessary waste, especially in a way that does not insult the poor.” Said the Archbishop.

“In the character of Jesus, we see a character in which austerity was practiced at the top. He had no property. No wealth. No power.  He lived on the road, preaching from place to place and suffering from misunderstandings. In the end, after 03 years of public life, he gave up everything, sacrificed everything, and died on the cross.”

In this kind of atmosphere as Christians, who follow him. We can’t enjoy the joy of Christmas only through decorations, wasting things, and unnecessary expenses when other people of the country are suffering.

Addressing all Christians, not only Catholics the Archbishop said I request to cut all unnecessary expenses. Don’t spend more money on food and clothing. Don’t go into debt for Christmas. Also, take steps to spend Christmas Day with the poor. Enjoy a meal with the afflicted poor near your home.” The Archbishop requested.

Also, the Archbishop calls on all the Catholic Priests in charge of the churches to plan to bring the most affected families living in the Parish on Christmas day to the church premises and give them Christmas lunch.

He also said that except only preaching, he is ready to gather around 200 poor people in one parish and enjoy his Christmas meal with them.

END.