Emphasising that serving the poor is to serve Christ, Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão underlined that charity is not merely a duty but a living act of faith.
Cardinal Ferrão was addressing a gathering after releasing the Indian edition of the Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You) during the annual gathering of Communio Directors at St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa.
“Love for Christ finds its truest expression in love for the poor. The disciple who loves the Master cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of His little ones,” said Cardinal Ferrão, who serves as the President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) and Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
Inviting the faithful to discover Christ in the faces of the poor and the marginalised, Cardinal Ferrão urged the Church to move from words to action, embracing compassion as the heart of Christian witness.
Echoing the words of Jesus, he reminded, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The CCBI has published the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Dilexi Te’, written by Pope Leo XIV, focusing on love and service towards the poor. Signed on October 4 and released on October 9, this is the first Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV.
It continues the theme of Dilexit Nos, the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis issued on October 24, 2024, commemorating the 350th anniversary of the first apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673.
Those interested in copies may contact the CCBI by email (ccbipublications@gmail.com) or phone (9886730224).
