Mass to reflect pain over rape victim’s death

Mumbai, December 31, 2012: Midnight mass on New Year’s Eve will reflect the pain that the nation feels at the passing away of the Delhi gangrape victim. Parish priests across Catholic churches will be mindful to hold out hope in Jesus Christ’s message of peace, joy and love amid growing frustration over women’s security in India.

Fr Ronald Devar of St Pius Church, Mulund, says, “The grave exploitation of women, whether it be rape, female infanticide or dowry killings, is a sign of deep-rooted prejudice. It shows a mindset that reeks of discrimination. The rape victim who lost her life was a victim of barbaric cruelty and violence.”

He adds, “The Prophet Isaiah said in the Old Testament, ‘The people who have walked in darkness have seen a new light’. As the new year dawns, we citizens need to see things in a new light and change our attitude instead of merely paying lip service to the cause.”

Fr Simon Britto of St Ignatius Church, opposite Musafirkhana, will remind people of the glory of womanhood by holding up the example of Mother Mary. “She is a role model in this, the Year of Faith, for she brought forth the miracle that is Jesus,” he says.

The priest does not fail to link his message with the ongoing attacks against women in India.

“I touched upon the issue at Christmas as well. Our women must be free to chart their course in life without having to look over their shoulders at all times. Our parish itself has more women than men and their attendance is markedly high as well,” Fr Simon says. St Ignatius is the smallest parish in Mumbai, with merely 130 people, half of them native Kolis.

In Colaba, the Roman Catholic or R C Church has a “small congregation of 700” but the faithful do arrive for midnight mass on New Year’s Eve. Fr Andrew Sequeira says that the mass will this time be held indoors at midnight.

“I have a simple message for the people. Follow the path of Jesus and you cannot go wrong,” he says.

– times of india