SL Christians should not celebrate Christmas this year: Cardinal

Says poor population in Sri Lanka has increased 

By Yohan Perera

Sri Lankan Christians cannot and should not celebrate Christmas alone this year as the poor population in Sri Lanka has increased in great proportions , Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday.

Issuing  special message , Cardinal Ranjith urged Christians to refrain from extravagant purchases of goods this Christmas but to share what they have with the poor.

“ Think of the poor and share what you have with the poor while refraining from spending money on extravagant purchases. The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka has also made the same request from Christians of the nation “ he said.

“ What is commemorated during Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born in poverty in a stable. There was no cloth to wrap him. Therefore Jesus is associated with poverty. He brought humaneness to the world. Therefore it is most appropriate to spend this year’s Christmas with the poor. It is most important to share what you have with the poor this Christmas. We celebrate Christmas at a time when our nation is going through an economic crisis,” he added.

Issuing  special message , Cardinal Ranjith urged Christians to refrain from extravagant purchases of goods this Christmas but to share what they have with the poor.
“ Think of the poor and share what you have with the poor while refraining from spending money on extravagant purchases. The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka has also made the same request from Christians of the nation “ he said.

“ What is commemorated during Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born in poverty in a stable. There was no cloth to wrap him. Therefore Jesus is associated with poverty. He brought humaneness to the world. Therefore it is most appropriate to spend this year’s Christmas with the poor. It is most important to share what you have with the poor this Christmas. We celebrate Christmas at a time when our nation is going through an economic crisis,” he added.