Kochi: Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal George Alencherry, reminded that the clergy, devotees and laity in the leadership of the church should be diligent in providing true Christian testimony. He was reminded of this in an ecclesiastical message issued on the occasion of Dukhrana. He noted in the circular that individuals and ecclesiastical bodies should abandon the tendency to accumulate excessive wealth, and that a church should be formed in the sense that the church belongs to them and that they are responsible for meeting the legitimate needs of ministers.
Some excerpts from the Pastoral Letter:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The corona period has opened up many possibilities for us to live. Today we feel the need to embrace the simplicity of life that the church has long been contemplating and that has arisen from many levels. This year and next year must be a time of austerity for all of us. Piety and grandeur should be far from our lifestyles. New construction projects should not be planned immediately. We need to feel restrained that the construction work started by our parishes and institutions should be completed slowed down. We can choose not to make forced payments. We can meet the needs of the church by volunteering and donating to the people without any pressure. We can stop the misleading advertising and celebrations that are the object of church ministry, meditation sermons and feasts. Planning programs and programs for personal gains and fame is not appropriate. Let the needs of the church stem from the general spiritual thought of church fellowship.
Individuals and church systems must abandon the tendency to accumulate excess wealth.
Reformation of life
Let the face of the church be poor, as Pope Francis says. The church belongs to the poor. The wealth of the church is God’s people. Our children have the confidence to provide for the needs and needs of the church at the right time. Let the church produce a community of people who understand that the church belongs to them and that they have a responsibility to care for the legitimate needs of the church ministers. May all our activities in the sphere of education, hospitality and social welfare be excellent Christian testimonies with the touch of mercy. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional services rendered by parishes, institutions, dioceses, social welfare groups and other organizations during the COVID 19 phase.
