Vatican
City, 26 February 2013
(VIS) – Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for
the Oriental Churches, has sent a letter to the bishops of the world
concerning the traditional Good Friday collection for the Holy Land.
The letter, which also bears the signature of Archbishop Cyril Vasil
S.J., secretary of the congregation, has the purpose of sensitising
the Catholic Church around the world with regard to the Holy Land,
and of promoting initiatives of prayer and fraternal charity towards
Christians of Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, and neighbouring
countries.
“The
Gospel message of compassion,” the text reads, “illumines the
need for the Good Friday Collection in support of our brothers and
sisters in the places of Redemption. Together with their pastors,
they live the mystery of Christ, Crucified and Risen for the
salvation of mankind. On account of its ecclesial dimension, this
ancient duty is an ever gratifying opportunity. As Easter approaches,
it is all the more appropriate as an expression of the faith that the
Church, under the guidance of Pope Benedict XVI, is intensely living,
on the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.
That event opened her to the world, at the same time rooting her
still more firmly in the tradition that departs from the Christian
origins. Of these the Holy Land is the silent witness and living
custodian, thanks to the Latin communities of the Patriarchal Diocese
of Jerusalem and the Franciscan Custody, as also to the Melkite,
Maronite, Syrian, Armenian, Copt, and Chaldean faithful active there.
Lately, this region is also witness to the fact that entire peoples,
hungering for dignity and justice, have given wings to the dream of a
springtime, the fruits of which are desired at once, as if the great,
longed-for transformation could be possible without a renewal of
hearts and an acceptance of a common responsibility for the poor.”
“Among
the first fruits of the new awareness brought by the Council was the
Encyclical 'Pacem in terris' of Blessed John XXIII, which raises in
this Year of Faith a pressing call for peace, especially in Syria,
whose tragic path represents a threat to the entire Near East.”
“The
situation in the Middle East would seem to demand what the Servant of
God Paul VI proposes in the Encyclical 'Populorum progressio'.
Following his denouncement of 'the material poverty of those who lack
the bare necessities of life, and the moral poverty of those who are
crushed under the weight of their own self-love' (n. 21), the Pope
suggests not only 'a growing awareness of other people's dignity, a
taste for the spirit of poverty, an active interest in the common
good, and a desire for peace', but also affirms that 'then man can
acknowledge the highest values and God Himself, their author and end'
(ibid). Towards that goal, the Pope does not hesitate to hold up
'above all ... faith—God's gift to men of good will—and our
loving unity in Christ'. With a vision born of faith, he chose the
Land of Jesus to make, in 1964, the first of his great apostolic
voyages. Following in his footsteps in the year 2000, Blessed John
Paul II described his pilgrimage as 'a moment of brotherhood and
peace, [to be remembered] as one of the most beautiful gifts of the
whole Jubilee event' and expressed his 'deeply felt desire for a
prompt and just solution to the still unresolved problems of the Holy
Places, cherished by Jews, Christians and Muslims together' (Novo
millenio ineunte, n. 13).”
“Pope
Benedict also offers us an admirable example of this same
compassionate outlook. Encouraging evidence is found in his Pastoral
Visit of this past September to Lebanon for the publication of the
Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Medio Oriente'; the constant
mention of the region's woes in the Angelus, in his audiences, and in
his Messages to various people and institutions; as well as his
prayer intention for January 2013, shared with the entire Church:
'that the Christian communities of the Middle East, often
discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength
of fidelity and perseverance'. Finally, for this coming Good Friday,
he has invited two young Lebanese Maronites to write the text for the
Via Crucis procession.”
“In
the widest sense, the Land of Jesus is composed of Israel and
Palestine, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt. The Christians
living in all these countries must find in us the same attitude of
solidarity in the faith.“
“With
grateful wonder we recognize how much the generous concern of
Catholics around the world has already accomplished. This assistance
maintains the Holy Sites, as well as the communities that dwell
there. Together with institutes of men and women religious, the funds
collected provide immediate relief to the catastrophic consequences
of war and other emergencies. Through a qualified network of
pastoral, educational, and health care specialists, these resources
come to the aid of families, often saving lives that have been
rejected: the old, the sick, and the disabled. In addition, aid is
provided to those without work and to youth in search of a brighter
future. In every case, the collection seeks to build up human rights,
especially the right to religious liberty. To this one must add the
praiseworthy ecumenical and inter-religious effort, which requires
stemming the incessant exodus of Christian faithful from their
motherland and the accompaniment of the displaced and the refugee.
Taken as a whole, this constitutes the 'Christian characteristic',
which makes the region, beyond all of its suffering, a Place where
God is glorified, because humanity is blessed.”
“With
deep conviction the Congregation for Eastern Churches appeals to all
to reconfirm their ecclesial charity in favour of the Holy Land.
Together with the Pope, the Congregation thanks the pastors and
faithful who, standing by the Cross of the Lord, offer their
prayerful and fraternal embrace to those dwelling in the Holy Land.
These have earned the gratitude of the Supreme Pastor of the Church
and ours, too, for by their faithful witness in the midst of
suffering, they remind the world of the consoling promise of the
Risen One: 'These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be
in you, and that your joy may be full' (Jn. 15:11).”
Also
made public today was a report prepared by the Custody of the Holy
Land (a province of the Order of Friars Minor with responsibility for
the Holy Places), listing the works carried out with the proceeds of
the Good Friday collection of 2012. Restoration and maintenance has
been carried out on numerous shrines, churches, and convents in the
Holy Land including such places as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth,
Magdala, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, and Mt. Nebo. Other initiatives
sought to improve welcome services for pilgrims.
A
significant part of the proceeds was used to fund student
scholarships, to help small business, and to build houses, schools
and sports centres for children. Other recipients of aid included
families, parish communities, the poor, and cultural institutions.
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