QUESTION: There has been a noticeable number of Christians involved in hate speech against Muslims recently. How do you look at this phe-nomenon?

ANSWER: I would say, if you are a true Christian, you can never speak ill of others. We have to be messengers of peace    and reconciliation. The Lord said, “My peace I give to you.” His whole mission was to bring harmony, solidarity and peace among the people. How can someone who goes against that mission of his claim to be a Christian? We are so much influenced by the current communal situation that we feel compelled to respond or react. But Christian courage requires of us to go beyond such compulsions.  There are so many of us who are badly influenced by communal considerations rather than by Christ’s message and the teachings of the Holy Father, who is like a prophet of our time. Catholics are duty bound to reflect his approach to the world; but, unfortunately, he is not taken seriously. It can happen in every sphere, from top to bottom, in politics as well as in religious circles. That’s the temptation of today. We have to withstand it and be true followers of Christ the liberator.

Bp. Alex Joseph Vadakumthala
Kannur