Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai S.D.B. to Visit Cambridge
January 9, 2025
The Diocese of East Anglia invites all parishioners to join in raising awareness and support for World Leprosy Day on Sunday, 26 January 2025. This global event is a vital opportunity to reflect on the impact of leprosy, an ancient disease that continues to destroy lives, and to act in solidarity with those affected.
Following in Christ’s Compassionate Footsteps
Leprosy has deep biblical resonance, appearing frequently in the Old and New Testaments. It was seen as a scourge that isolated sufferers from society. Yet Jesus, in His boundless compassion, reached out to heal lepers, offering not only physical restoration but also spiritual solace and dignity. In Matthew 8:1, Mark 1:40, and Luke 5:12, we read how Jesus responded to a leper’s plea for healing. Filled with love and mercy, Jesus touched the untouchable, embodying the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom.
This spirit of compassion was mirrored by St Francis of Assisi, whose encounter with a leper inspired his radical transformation, and by St Damien of Molokai, who devoted his life to caring for a community of leprosy sufferers. Their examples urge us today to reach out in faith and love to those affected by leprosy.
The Modern Reality of Leprosy
Despite advances in medicine, leprosy remains a significant health challenge in many parts of the world. The World Health Organisation reports thousands of new cases every year, many with life-altering disabilities such as blindness or disfigurement. Tragically, millions more remain undiagnosed, risking further transmission.
Leprosy is one of the most stigmatised diseases on earth. A diagnosis can lead to ostracism, job loss, or even divorce. In some countries, fear of societal rejection prevents individuals from seeking treatment, perpetuating cycles of suffering and exclusion.
As Archbishop John Wilson poignantly reminded us during St Francis Leprosy Guild’s 125th anniversary Mass: “If we think leprosy is a thing of the past, then we are sadly mistaken.”
St Francis Leprosy Guild: Working for a Leprosy-Free World
The St Francis Leprosy Guild (SFLG) is the UK’s only Catholic leprosy charity dedicated to eradicating leprosy. Supporting over 30 leprosy centres in 13 countries, SFLG’s strategy focuses on active case-finding and early diagnosis, followed by treatment with multidrug therapy. This proactive approach is crucial in breaking the cycle of transmission and disability.
For over a century, the Guild has drawn inspiration from Catholic social teaching, working tirelessly to restore dignity to those affected by leprosy. By supporting SFLG, you join a mission rooted in faith and compassion.
How You Can Help
On World Leprosy Day, we encourage all parishioners to reflect on the continuing impact of this disease and take action to support those affected. Visit www.stfrancisleprosy.org for resources, information, and details on how to contribute. Watch the special video message from the Guild’s patron, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, and share it with your community.
Let us come together in prayer and action, inspired by Christ’s example, to offer hope and healing to those suffering from leprosy. Through our faith and generosity, we can help create a world where leprosy no longer destroys lives.
Toolkit to support World Leprosy Day 2025
Cardinal’s message for World Leprosy Day 2025
Prayer for people affected by leprosy
