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Bishop Moran's Letter for Epiphany Sunday 2007
- By SCMO
- Published 5/01/2007
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To be read at all Masses Feast of the Epiphany 2007 Sunday 7th January
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
In today’s Gospel the wise men come in peace and humility to bring gifts to the infant king. But in the background Herod, out of fear and jealousy, is plotting death for the innocent.
In today’s Christian churches we are singing of peace and goodwill in the name of that infant king. But in the background, many are plotting death for the innocent.
We are all aware of the suicide bombs, the revenge-driven attacks, the indiscriminate slaughter, the wholesale devastation. We can see violence breeding violence.
Yet people who would never consider such barbarous behaviour, people who long for peace just as we do, are still prepared to threaten death and devastation, out of fear. The world’s most powerful governments, including our own, seem determined to base our security on having nuclear weapons available. Not for actual use, it is said – just as a deterrent. Last year the Scottish bishops repeated their condemnation of these weapons – not only of using them, but even of holding them as a deterrent.
Many thousands of you, in the name of Justice and in the name of Peace, signed the petition against renewing Trident. On behalf of the bishops, I thank you. A vote will take place in March on whether our country renews Trident, please contact your MPs before then and make sure they know the views of the Church and your own views.
Real peace is much more than the absence of outward violence. Things may be quiet, but the violence can still be there, as a threat, in people’s attitudes. For any real peace, the attitudes have to change.
We need to begin building a culture of peace.
On the smaller scale, and very close to home, we need to challenge any pride and selfishness in our own lives. Whenever we start thinking in terms of “them and us”, peace is at risk. Our own attitudes have to change, from lofty ideals to the down-to-earth; from “Love thy neighbour” to “Love THIS neighbour”; from “respect for the human person” to “treat this individual as YOU feel entitled to be treated”.
On the larger scale too, we need to change attitudes, and challenge the culture which relies on fear and threats. We need to insist that the huge costs of that culture are used, instead, to promote human dignity. We need to insist that countries work together to relieve poverty, injustice and despair. These breed bitterness and hatred, and lead to war.
At local and at national level Catholic organisations are actively promoting justice and peace. Your prayers and your donations today support these aims.
Just before Holy Communion at this Mass, we will wish each other the Peace of Christ. Let’s make that wish mean more than mere words. Let’s live that message in our own lives. Let’s send that message out across our country. As we set out on this New Year, let us begin to build a culture of justice and peace, a fitting Epiphany gift for our Saviour.
Yours sincerely in Christ
+ Peter A. Moran,
Bishop of Aberdeen
Bishop-President, Justice and Peace Commission
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
In today’s Gospel the wise men come in peace and humility to bring gifts to the infant king. But in the background Herod, out of fear and jealousy, is plotting death for the innocent.
In today’s Christian churches we are singing of peace and goodwill in the name of that infant king. But in the background, many are plotting death for the innocent.
We are all aware of the suicide bombs, the revenge-driven attacks, the indiscriminate slaughter, the wholesale devastation. We can see violence breeding violence.
Yet people who would never consider such barbarous behaviour, people who long for peace just as we do, are still prepared to threaten death and devastation, out of fear. The world’s most powerful governments, including our own, seem determined to base our security on having nuclear weapons available. Not for actual use, it is said – just as a deterrent. Last year the Scottish bishops repeated their condemnation of these weapons – not only of using them, but even of holding them as a deterrent.
Many thousands of you, in the name of Justice and in the name of Peace, signed the petition against renewing Trident. On behalf of the bishops, I thank you. A vote will take place in March on whether our country renews Trident, please contact your MPs before then and make sure they know the views of the Church and your own views.
Real peace is much more than the absence of outward violence. Things may be quiet, but the violence can still be there, as a threat, in people’s attitudes. For any real peace, the attitudes have to change.
We need to begin building a culture of peace.
On the smaller scale, and very close to home, we need to challenge any pride and selfishness in our own lives. Whenever we start thinking in terms of “them and us”, peace is at risk. Our own attitudes have to change, from lofty ideals to the down-to-earth; from “Love thy neighbour” to “Love THIS neighbour”; from “respect for the human person” to “treat this individual as YOU feel entitled to be treated”.
On the larger scale too, we need to change attitudes, and challenge the culture which relies on fear and threats. We need to insist that the huge costs of that culture are used, instead, to promote human dignity. We need to insist that countries work together to relieve poverty, injustice and despair. These breed bitterness and hatred, and lead to war.
At local and at national level Catholic organisations are actively promoting justice and peace. Your prayers and your donations today support these aims.
Just before Holy Communion at this Mass, we will wish each other the Peace of Christ. Let’s make that wish mean more than mere words. Let’s live that message in our own lives. Let’s send that message out across our country. As we set out on this New Year, let us begin to build a culture of justice and peace, a fitting Epiphany gift for our Saviour.
Yours sincerely in Christ
+ Peter A. Moran,
Bishop of Aberdeen
Bishop-President, Justice and Peace Commission