In his Christmas message issued on Monday, the Cardinal noted that more than 1.5 million people have been displaced, while “an uncounted number” remain buried under rubble and earth in the island’s upper regions following landslides and severe flooding.
“It is a most painful situation,” he wrote, adding that the Christian community is entering what is traditionally a season of joy and celebration. He said it is difficult to celebrate wholeheartedly when “thousands of our fellow citizens are without their loved ones, buried under rubble due to earth slips, in refugee centres and without any of their belongings except the clothes they were wearing.”
Cardinal Ranjith urged the faithful to avoid excessive celebrations, extravagance and waste this festive season, calling instead for compassion and practical support for affected families.
“Celebrate, by all means,” he said, “but make it more of a moment of spiritual happiness and concern for the needs of those who suffer. Assist as much as possible those who need a helping hand, those who lost their loved ones, and those who lost their houses and belongings.”
He encouraged the public to make this Christmas a time of love, sharing and solidarity, describing it as an opportunity to create “a deeply spiritual and joyful experience.”
