'This is the time to be generous to poor'

BANGALORE: While Christians prepare to indulge in the sensual delights of Christmas, the onus of shining the light on the spiritual side of the festivities rests with church leaders like Archbishop Rev. Dr Ignatius Pinto.
As head of the nearly 3.6-lakh Catholic community in Bangalore, Tumkur and Kolar, archbishop Ignatius Pinto has been a cementing factor in a fractious set-up.On the eve of Christmas, sitting amid gifts brought in by a steady stream of visitors, the archbishop discussed the birthday of Jesus Christ.
What does Christmas mean to a person like you, who has been a priest for over 50 years?
Christmas is a time when I recall the birth of Jesus Christ — in a manner that really appeals to me. It means a time for paying more than usual attention to the poorer section of the community. Christ was born poor, the thought of his poverty is uppermost in my mind during this season.
Do you think Christmas has become more about celebration and less about devotion, and is gradually becoming a well-packaged commercial product?
In general, Christmas has lost its meaning, especially in the West. Fortunately, in India, the spiritual aspect can be clearly perceived. But there is a need for more emphasis on the devotional side.
In India, most people still consider it a God-given opportunity for family reunions.
What significant changes do you observe in Christmas celebrations in recent times, compared to your early years?
The spirit of Christmas is all-pervading these days and the festivities last for as long as two weeks.
Every community, irrespective of their religious persuasions, celebrates Christmas these days. It is largely due to the mass media that these changes have come.
What is Christmas day like for the archbishop of Bangalore? Is there any time with members of your family and cakes, cookies and kalkals?
On the eve of Christmas, on the night of December 24, I will be at the mass at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. On the next day, I will be at a private mass at our chapel and at the 9:45 am mass at St Patrick’s Church. Several VIPs in the state are expected to participate in these masses.
There is no real time for family, the world is our family and we receive gifts and goodies from them.
What is your message to Catholics on the eve of this Christmas?
There is a need to show greater concern for the community through generosity. More help needs to be provided in the education of the poor, as not much is being done in this area.