Ours is not a joy born of having many possessions, but of having encountered a person: Jesus in our midst.

This Christmas may we be consistent in living the Gospel, welcoming Jesus into the centre of our lives.

I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth, and not ruled by it.

The pace of consumption, waste and environmental change has so stretched the planet's capacity that our contemporary lifestyle, unsustainable as it is, can only precipitate catastrophes, such as those which even now periodically occur in different areas of the world ... we need to reflect on our accountability before those who will have to endure the dire consequences.

The Christian mission has only one focus: to change individual's lives so they can change the world.

War is not to be waged in the name of God.

The Church, in her wisdom, maintains the distinction between engaged and married couples -- they are not the same, today's culture and society have become rather indifferent to the delicate and serious nature of this passage.