Archbishop’s Christmas message: discard prejudices, embrace the suffering of the afflicted
Archbishop Paul Cremona calls on Christians to reject prejudice against refugees, prisoners, and the disabled, and to ‘stay close to the suffering’ of the poor
Archbishop Paul Cremona's message for Christmas was broadcast from Corradino Correctional Facility, where both prisoners and some staff members will not be able to celebrate Christmas at home with their families either.
WATCH Archbishop's message here
Cremona said the reason he chose the choice of CCF for his greetings was to call on his listeners to bear in mind all those people who will not be spending their Christmas at home.
"It could be that they live in an institution, or they are in hospital, or it could also be that they are living in this Correctional Facility. I chose this place so that we may remember Our Lord Jesus Christ in a special way. In the first Christmas, he was born in a cave, far away from his home," Cremona says in his recorded message.
The Archbishop called on Catholic faithful to "welcome Christ" wherever they may be living, and to reflect on expunging prejudice and poverty this Christmas.
"The Christian must not have any prejudices against others, no matter who they are: whether they are residents of this facility or those people we refer to as refugees; the mentally-impaired, and also those who are poor and live on the streets. We cannot hold any prejudice against any of these people because if we do, then we will be going against all that Our Lord Jesus Christ did."
Cremona also called upon Christians to stay close to the suffering of the poor and afflicted. "This is precisely why Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem: that he may be united with all those who are poor, emarginated and in distress.
"It would be so beautiful if this Christmas we could put into practice these two reflections which I have shared with you. I encourage you to try and live them all the year round, in every place where you may be. No prejudices, but lots of love, especially towards those who are suffering and the emarginated, otherwise our journey with Jesus will not be fulfilling. We would be only experiencing the surface rather than the essence of the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ among us."