As the New Year dawns, let us put behind us the armed conflict and devastation of the past year which has torn our world asunder, especially in our region, and let us put aside all fear, anxiety and despair.
Instead, may we embrace the coming year with renewed hope for peace and tolerance; and may we become pilgrims of hope, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation by means of a renewed and refreshed mind and culture, whereby we seek the common good, in the pursuit of equality and justice.
May the coming year not only bring an end to discrimination, hatred and war, but also enable us to overcome division, marginalization and sectarianism, and lead us on a path to fraternity, peace and goodwill so that we can all live together in freedom with dignity and security.
This earnest hope calls on everyone to believe in the possibility of salvation from past strife and suffering, and in a commitment to the values of social equality and religious tolerance.
The dawning of a new year offers us a unique opportunity to seek understanding and tolerance for past errors and offences through correcting our ways.
Thereby, we may witness a deep change within ourselves that enables us to live in peace and harmony with one another.
Our human life is brief. While we cannot change the past, we can change the future. We must not lose time in changing the world around us, so that everyone enjoys equality and justice, in a society of love and charity, and thereby returns to a harmonious relationship with God, with one another, and with all of Creation.
I wish you all a peaceful New Year
