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The Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Michael Dooley. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Each day in our world, around 385,000 babies are born. That is about 250 new human beings each minute.

On a statistical level this is a large number of people, we might even say birth is a commonplace activity.

However, I would venture to say that most people would not label birth as ordinary or commonplace. Each of those births will be special for the parents, the families and most of all, for the new human being that enters the world. Without our birth we would not exist, birth is a profound experience.

On its most basic level, Christmas is the celebration of a birth, the birth of Jesus.

As we say happy birthday to Jesus we join with him in remembering a physical event that we, too, have survived. Birth is a risky venture and there is always the possibility that we may not make it.

One thing we all have in common as human beings is that we have a birthday. Whether we are rich or poor, male or female we share the experience of our own birth. This common starting point surely reminds us of our innate dignity as human beings. When we treat our brothers and sisters with a lack of respect or deny them basic human rights then we are forgetting our common origin.

For Christians, the significance that Jesus chose to be born among us as a human being gives added emphasis to our dignity as people.

Not only do we say happy birthday to Jesus but we also call to mind his teaching and his example of service and love. This example of Jesus is challenging and we do not always live up to it as Christians.

When we do fail to respect our brothers and sisters then it is important for us to return to that call from Jesus to love our neighbour. The Covid pandemic has been challenging in so many ways in 2021 but our way forward is sincere respect and concern for one another.

Last week, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care issued a report “He Purapura Ora, he Mara Tipu from Redress to Puretumu Toro-whanui”.

This report acknowledged the failings of faith-based and state carers in looking after the children and vulnerable adults who had been entrusted into their care. Too often the dignity of these vulnerable human beings was put in second place to the reputation of institutions.

As a bishop, I am very aware that the Catholic Church, along with other faith institutions, was found to have abusers among its carers and was also guilty of denial when abuse was uncovered.

The commission noted that the denial of rights was often fostered by common and negative social attitudes of the time about race, gender, disability, and mental health. The report has recommended the Government institute an independent redress scheme which will be survivor-focused and holistic in its approach. I commend the royal commission on listening to those who who have testified and coming out with a recommendation to the Government that honours the human dignity of survivors. I look forward to working with other faith-based institutions in making the proposed independent redress body a positive force for healing and justice.

As we honour the birthday of Jesus this Christmas, my prayer is that we are moved to honour more and more the human dignity of our sisters and brothers.

As we realise we have a common origin in birth, we also acknowledge that our human birth is given great dignity through the choice of Jesus to be born as one of us.

Merry Christmas!