KOHIMA, APRIL 10 (MExN): Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima today issued an Easter message calling upon all people to develop solidarity among one another.
“With hope let us proclaim Christ is risen,” the Bishop said in his message. The COVID-19 pandemic, he said “challenges our faith and our hope.” The most painful reality has been that churches are closed, he added.
“The Church is about communion. In joy and fellowship, in every mass we gather to affirm and celebrate our communion. Our mission is to build communion and yet in this time of crisis, we seem to surrender ourselves to isolation. Paradoxical as it may seem, keeping distance from one another means we truly care for each other, because we want to stop the transmission of the deadly virus,” he added.
He further stated a pandemic like COVID-19 has no favourites: the richest and more powerful nations that have arrogantly stockpiled nuclear arms and weapons are brought to their knees by the virus.
“May this Cross lead all nations to consign enmity and war to fire and see resurrection in human solidarity, solidarity in sharing – material and human resources, knowledge and technology, moral qualities and humane principles,” he hoped.
The Bishop meanwhile reminded that humanity and the Church have waded through valleys of tears before.
“We are at the dawn of a new consciousness, a radically fresh approach to our life as the human family in a fragile world. Social distance risks bringing social paranoia – fear of my brother and sister,” he admitted, but encouraged “we must insist that these measures arise from and lead to new forms of solidarity.”
