Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has lauded ‘champions in the fight against Covid-19’ that continues to ravage the world and urged ‘the culture of looking out for one another."

The prelate gave the message during a New Year's Eve mass that was celebrated virtually and was broadcast on Catholic-run media platforms.

It has been a tradition for Christians of different religious denominations to convene in their respective churches on the night of December 31 to watch and pray as they cross over to the New Year.

But this year, churches went virtual owing to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

Kambanda said that although Rwandans and the world faced and are still facing difficult times caused by Covid-19, champions in the fight against the pandemic deserve applause for their ongoing tireless work.

"We applaud champions in the fight against Covid-19; nurses, doctors, volunteers and other hospital workers who resist fatigue and risk losing lives defending the lives of others. 

"We thank the leaders of our country for measures taken in preventing the spread of Covid-19, we thank researchers who are struggling to get vaccine and medicine against the pandemic,” he said.

He urged Christians to shun the culture of selfishness.

"We thank the Lord who accompanied us during these difficult times. Our God is like a parent taking care of their children in difficult times. The New Year message from the Pope is ‘strengthening the Culture to take care of the others. Pope urges to pray for peace. The culture of taking care of others builds peace. Christians should avoid selfish culture,” he said.

The culture of looking out for one another, he explained, is based on the fact that many people lost their relatives and friends while many others’ economies were affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We must take care of those in poverty, hunger and unemployment due to the pandemic that caused havoc and economic crisis,” he said.

He also thanked Good Samaritans who supported those in struggles.

He also urged people to avoid waste or misuse of common treasures and resources given by God as well as nature and environmental degradation.

"The resources including those spent in wars should be used well in the fund that takes care of the poor, those suffering from Covid-19 effects and others. We should work together to overcome poverty, hunger and diseases instead of misspending treasury,” he said.

The Pope’s message also calls for recognizing women’s contribution in taking care of society. 

These values should be taught in families, schools, churches and community in general. Peace will be possible thanks to the spirit of taking care of the others and sacrifice, he added.

He called on all people to do their best in fighting Covid-19 so that the next New Year comes when the pandemic has been defeated.