BELAGAVI
Bishop of Belgaum Derek Fernandes, who heads five districts in North Karnataka region, has exhorted people to reach out to those who are suffering and bring smiles to their faces with their good deeds.
He was speaking to media persons in the wake of Christmas which will be celebrated on Monday.
“Christians all over the world have been celebrating Christmas, the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem for about 2,000 years. However, Nativity in Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born has seen very little peace and was also seized,” said Bishop Fernandes.
“Many people locked themselves inside while soldiers were waiting outside for them to come out and that was not the Christmas of peace for sure. I have witnessed the violence in Israel.”
“Even today due to war many people are killed. This also happened during the time of the birth of Jesus when King Herod massacred several children. The Gaza Strip also is witnessing much violence. If Jesus came to bring peace, then the question arises as to why there is no peace at the place he was born?”
In his message, Bishop Fernandes said God created everything and gave everything in the hands of man for administration however, for centuries man has administered and maladministered, used, and misused.
“The misuse factor is larger; hence we see violence and unrest everywhere.”
Highlighting the importance of peace, Bishop Fernandes further said another aspect of Christmas is to have peace within ourselves only then we can find peace in the neighborhood.
“One of the main aspects of placelessness is the deprivation of two square meals among the poor. Jesus was born as a poor. When he was in Egypt and was exiled, he also starved like our poor people starve today.”
“So, for me Christmas today is the proclamation of peace and at the same time proclamation of helping the poor, the widows, the orphans, the marginalised, and the people who have no peace in their lives due to deprivation,” said Bishop Fernandes, who also is an Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Karwar said.
