Faced with the evil done to children, “no one can remain silent,” says Bishop John Rodrigues, rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Bandra (Mumbai).

The prelate was addressing the Mass on December 28 for the feast day of the Holy Innocents, which commemorates the massacre of children ordered by Herod, king of Judea, with the aim of killing Jesus. In his homily, Bp Rodrigues said: “They proclaimed and bore witness to Christ even before they could speak. We pray for all children that they are safe and grow up with love and understanding.”

The bishop also spoke against “abortion, abuse, neglect, child labor, child trafficking, child soldiers.”

“Christ, the light of the world, came to save the world. And yet we see evil and darkness around. We are called to be children of the light,” he explained.