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The Word has become flesh

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.

This Christmas morn, let us all rejoice in the birth of Jesus, our Saviour. Love incarnate – true God and true man – came down to earth to save wounded humanity; and to open the door to eternal salvation. He came, not because we deserved to be saved, but because of our Father’s bountiful grace and mercy.

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A place at the table for migrants, refugees

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Today the world observes International Migrants Day, a day when we should commit to stand in solidarity with migrants and refugees to promote their human rights and ensure that there is a place at the table of life for all.

The Gospel of Christ calls us to promote human life and human dignity, and to work towards integral human development – not for some, but for all. 

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Commentary

The Church’s position on the Death Penalty

by Archbishop Joseph Harris
by Archbishop Joseph Harris

STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHBISHOP – Issued December 13, 2016

The Catholic magisterium in recent years has become increasingly vocal in opposing the practice of capital punishment. Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae declared that “as a result of steady improvements in the organisation of the penal system,” cases in which the execution of the offender would be absolutely necessary “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.” Again at St. Louis, in January 1999, the Pope appealed for a consensus to end the death penalty on the ground that it was “both cruel and unnecessary.” The bishops of many countries have spoken to the same effect.

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Awaiting the greatest giver of gifts

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern. – St Teresa of Kolkata

I am in London at the moment and have been engaging the young ones in our family in discussions about Advent. For example, I asked them what gifts they would give to baby Jesus if, like the Magi, they were present at the birth of the Christ-child.

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Every day is Human Rights Day

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

On December 10 (next Saturday), the world will observe Human Rights Day (see Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The theme this year is: Stand up for someone’s rights today! As the UN states, this “is based on the Declaration’s fundamental proposition that each one of us – everywhere and at all times – is entitled to the full range of human rights, and that it’s everyone’s responsibility to uphold them. Take a stand. Defend someone’s rights. Human rights belong equally to each of us. They bind us together as a global community. Each one of us can make a difference.

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