At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God who draws close to us in humility and poverty. Even today, his faithful presence encourages us to renew our friendship with him. To achieve this, Pope Leo says: “One cannot love God without extending one’s love to the poor.”
At this time of year, let us keep in our hearts our brothers and sisters who are struggling with poverty, suffering from wars, or living in forced migration. May our gestures of tenderness among family and friends be a vibrant call for solidarity and peace. May this Christmas season rekindle in us the confidence to build a better world.
As we enter the new year, let us gather the graces of the Jubilee, which calls us to continue our journey as pilgrims of hope. On behalf of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The Most Rev. Pierre Goudreault
Bishop of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière and
President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Please also find below a link to the President’s Christmas Message.