CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM LAHORE 
Dear folks,
As Christmas approaches, my thoughts go out to
all you dear people and I take this occasion to give you some news about how
the year passed for me. It has been a strange, eventful year with many
blessings and joys but also with heavy setbacks and sorrows.
The year began with a surgery performed expertly
on my right knee in Doctors Hospital, Lahore. It took a short time
for me to recover and soon with the help of a cane I
was able to resume my duties and busy activities. After July
I could walk steadily on my own and did not need the cane. What a relief to
regain the full use of one’s knees! A great blessing, indeed.
On March 11, a terrible disaster happened at 9.20
am
– a huge explosion occurred just outside our compound – it was a suicide car
bomb attack aimed at a nearby police station but causing immense damages to my
residence, the Cathedral and other buildings, including the domestic staff
quarters. Miraculously, I did not sustain any injury. My bedroom and office were badly damaged and since then I have become an Internal
Displaced Person (IDP), sleeping in the guest room for visitors. The staff
quarters were rebuilt in five months and once more being
occupied. The work of the church carries on in spite of these difficulties.
Then from June 16th
– 21st was the “Ad-Limina” visit of the Bishops of Pakistan to the Vatican, which is usually done every five years. It was a very moving faith
experience to celebrate Holy Mass at the tombs of the great Apostles, Peter and
Paul. I prayed for you there. We paid a courtesy visit to the various offices
of the Holy See and the climax was the personal meeting with the Vicar of
Christ, Pope Benedict XVI who received us warmly and cordially. Altogether it was a soul satisfying and uplifting event.
From Rome, I flew to Canada to spend some quiet and
relaxing days with family and friends. I was most happy to meet my mother
again. She looked bright, cheerful and healthy and even played a game of
scrabble! On 5th November, she celebrated
her 97th birthday, God bless her! I also took the chance to visit my old parish, Precious Blood Parish, and meet again
with some of the parishioners. I am grateful to the many good people who gave
an offering for the repairs of the Cathedral and other buildings damaged by the
bomb. May God bless them all!
In October, I was invited by “Church In Need” to Berlin, Germany to participate in a
function for the opening a book on religious freedom. It was good to visit Berlin after 40 years – so much
has changed now that it is the capital of united Germany. I also took this
occasion to visit a dear old friend, Elisabeth Stepanik in Augsburg. Now aged 90, she is
keeping remarkably well but it is very probable that this would be our last meeting which made it extra special and poignant.
In November, I had to attend two FABC meetings,
one in Bangkok and the other in Manila. While in 
Bangkok, I got the shattering
and shocking news of the sudden death of my old companion Father Adrian
Pereira, a senior priest of Lahore Archdiocese. The date of the funeral was
fixed till after I returned to Lahore but my plans were
spoiled because of the closure of the Bangkok airport. I was in Manila at the time and it was
impossible to find a seat on any other flight. What an intense disappointment
that I could not be present at the grand funeral. Luckily
Bishop Joseph Coutts took my place and performed the last rites. I finally was
able to return to Lahore via Hong Kong and Bahrain. On 20th
December I will preside at the Month’s Mind Mass for my dearly departed friend,
Father Adrian. May he rest in peace!
And so this year comes to an
end on a sad note. To add to the gloom, we have frequent power cuts every day which makes life quite miserable. But
Christmas gives us joyful hope because Jesus is the rock that never changes. To
quote the Synod of Bishops in Rome 2008 “Jesus is the Alpha and Omega of the
dialogue between God and his creatures, the Word that has put on a face, the
Person who gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”.
May the birth of Christ 2008 be an event of new hope
and joy for you and all your dear ones. May the New
Year bring an end to all wars and terrorism so that people can enjoy harmony
and peace!
With all good wishes, prayers
and blessings on you and your families!
† Larry Saldanha
P.S. today, the whole nation celebrates Eid and
everything shuts down for a week. So I will have to
send this by E-Mails! Cheers!