Dear Sisters and brothers in Christ,

As I visit the parishes of our diocese, I am constantly reminded of how enriched we are by the presence of so many people from so many different countries in the world.

Some are visitors, some are immigrants, some are working here for a tine and some are refugees seeking to escape from persecution and even torture in their own countries but all are our brothers and sisters. All are really welcome in our communities and I pray that we are ready to share our resources, our opportunities and our friendship as best we may.

However, I am aware - and I am sure you all are as well - that racial prejudice and discrimination can sometimes lie not far below the surface of our lives and attitudes.

We have seen the tragic effects of racism in the former Yugoslavia, in Burundi and Rwanda, to name but three examples. We have seen how desperately and hatefully destructive it can be.

Such attitudes can have no place in our lives, nor can they be allowed to go unchallenged in the attitudes of others.

Our humanity is common to us; we are all created in the image and likeness of the God who is our Father; we are brothers and sisters together.

Christ came to redeem us all, and racism, which despises and discriminates, cannot be His will. The Church, above all, should be the community in which racism is outlawed because we are the gathered community of Christ's faithful. We are to be a sign of the equality and dignity of all peoples.

To-day's feast - The Triumph of the Cross - offers us these words of Christ for our reflection: "When I am lifted up.... I will draw all people to myself." As Christ's arms are outstretched on the Cross to embrace everyone, so our arms too need to be open to all in welcome and love. Nobody is beyond the reach of Christ's love - and we are the Body of Christ.

With blessings and prayers,