WASHINGTON — Cardinal Donald Wuerl has some holiday wishes of his own this Christmas.
The Archbishop of Washington says Christmas is all about love and making the world a better place.
“Jesus’s message to us was love one another, care for one another. Be there for one another,” he told WTOP on Thursday. “Christmas is saying to all of us: It is possible; we can be better.”
Despite heightened fears after the San Bernardino, California, shooting and the Paris attacks, Wuerl says people should come together and not turn to prejudice.
Wuerl, along with many local religious leaders, participated in an interfaith walk Sunday in Northwest D.C. to support area Muslims against the backlash and hatred perpetuated after the attacks, according to the Washington Post.
“We can’t just pick on any one group at any one time,” he says. “We as Catholics should be particularly sensitive to that because historically we have had our share of discrimination pointed at us.”
He says it’s natural to have a reaction, but to remember not to let the acts of a few reflect on an entire group.
“We have to say, ‘I’m not going to change how I look at you simply because somebody else is a violent or angry person.'”
Christmas is a perfect opportunity to become better, Wuerl says.
“It’s not just we pause for one day and be nice to one another. We’re capable of being good and kind and caring.”
