From India:
The head of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal George Alencherry has appealed to the faithful to put curbs on church festivities, to reduce noise and pomp, and turn feasts into occasions of simplicity and kindness. The Cardinal said it was time traditional festivals were given a makeover. The faithful are unable to pray in peace and tranquillity amid firecrackers and loudspeaker announcements during festival days, the Cardinal said in a statement issued to the press here on Aug 17. Festivities should be without firecrackers and trade on church premises during festive occasions should end, he said.
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More details:
The letter said that some smaller churches are imitating the rituals held at famous churches, for the feast of some particular saints. The Bishop points out that miraculous abilities of the saints are publicized and even fabricated for attracting more people to the churches. The pastoral letter titled ‘Reviewing Feast Celebrations’, warns that parishes should stop making money out of feasts. “There is no need to advertise miracles. If someone receives a divine help that itself a display of god’s grace,” he wrote as per The Times of India report.
And today we celebrate...