Catholic Archbishop Timothy Costelloe: war in Israel, Gaza & Ukraine behind big turnout to Christmas Mass

Amid an increasingly turbulent world, pews were packed at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth for Christmas Mass.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe told the nearly 1000 gathered, including those standing in the back, that many others around the world would be having mass in “half-ruined buildings in war-torn countries”.

But the Archbishop said regardless of the setting, Christmas was a time “to get to know Jesus” and a reminder that He had chosen to be “among us and to become weak among the strong”.

“God has made himself one of us so that we can come to Him more eagerly and more trustfully,” he said.

The sounds of the choir and the smell of incense filled the Cathedral during the Mass.

Archbishop Costelloe told The West that while Christmas was always a significant date for Christians, war in Israel and Gaza, Ukraine and much of the world had likely driven a larger turnout.

“This Christmas there seems to be more people than normal,” he said.

“I think the people who were staying away from church because of COVID have probably found their way back. But also the situation in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in different parts of Africa and Myanmar.

“The eruption of violence is very troubling and Christmas is always a time when people look for that deeper meaning in life.”

The Archbishop said the birth of Jesus was a “message of hope” that had resonance in the present day.

“It’s a message of hope for people that in the midst of a world where there are so many things unravelling, we can look with confidence to the future,” he said.

“Because in spite of everything, God is with us because he came to us in Jesus.

“(Jesus) wasn’t born into a peaceful untroubled world. So I think it’s a message that the Lord knows what the reality of life is all about. And he still walks with us through these difficulties.”

Mass attendee Elsa Chepchirchir said her family had lost their mother and this Christmas had been one of “solace” in which they had been comforted.

“We have had an amazing Christmas despite the fact that we lost our mum three months ago. Church has been a solace and a comfort,” Ms Chepchirchir said.

“It was a really good service and the choir was heavenly.”

Ms Chepchirchir’s family is from the Kelenjin tribe in Kenya and said services in Africa featured more dancing and drums.

“It is different but it is good to experience both,” she said.

Pam Lilette and her husband France and daughters, Shanaia and Saskia, live in the Swan Valley but they made sure to be in Perth so they could attend Mass at St Mary’s.

“I ask my family to come every year because I love the choir and it’s important to get the bishop’s blessing once a year,” Ms Lilette said.

Ms Lilette said besides the four of them, their family were in Mauritius, so being together at Christmas was especially important.