MUMBAI: The Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias has thanked essential service workers for toiling through Covid-19 in his annual Christmas message. He expressed solidarity with people who are "struggling to cope with the pain of loneliness, suffering, grief and loss of employment".
Cardinal Gracias is also the head of the Catholic Church in India.
Remarking how Christmas 2021 will also be different than the pre-Covid days, he said, "Our congregation is much smaller than usual, we are socially distanced, masked and sanitised, even our carol singing is subdued."
Yet, he said, "Many will join midnight mass, perhaps in a restricted way, in churches or chapels or 'live' from the living room -- your little 'domestic church' -- thanks to digital media platforms."
The Cardinal had a special word of praise for the doctors, nurses, scientists, caregivers, teachers, shop workers, clergy and volunteers who kept essential services going. He wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who are unable to be home with us, and especially with our brothers and sisters who are struggling to cope this year with the pain of loneliness, suffering, grief and loss of employment."
"I find the message of the angel on the first Christmas night to the terrified shepherds, 'Do not be afraid,' deeply consoling this year. How much we need to hear those words at this time. The pandemic has left us uncertain about the future, weary of all the ongoing restrictions, confused by changing messages, nervous, frightened, about the talk of waves of new variants like Omicron. It is only natural that we yearn for good news, a glimmer of hope."
He said the birth of Christ the Saviour "who redeemed us and saved us (assures that he) is journeying with us every step of the way."
