Vatican
City, 8 December 2013 (VIS) – “Let us pray with trust that in the
Holy Land and in all the Middle East peace may always arise again
from the all too frequent and often dramatic interruptions. Let let
enmity and divisions cease for ever”. This was the Pope's appeal
during the morning Mass in the Santa Marta guesthouse, concelebrated
with the Partriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts, Ibrahim
Isaac Sidrik, as a public demonstration of the ecclesiastical
communion sought by the Patriarch and conceded by Pope Benedict XVI.
Francis
cited the prophet Isaiah, who “reawakened in our hearts the wait
for the glorious return of the Lord”, commenting that “the
encouragement to those with 'fearful hearts' we feel to be addressed
to those in the beloved land of Egypt, who experience insecurity and
violence, at times because of their Christian faith. 'Be strong; do
not fear!' These are the words of consolation that find confirmation
in fraternal solidarity. I am grateful to God for this encounter,
which gives me a way of reinforcing your – and our – hope, which
is one and the same”.
“The
Gospel presents Christ, Who vanquishes the paralysis of humanity …
the paralyses of the conscience are contagious. With the complicity
of the moments of poverty of history, and our own sin, they can
expand and enter into social structures and communities to the extent
of blocking entire populations. But Christ's command can turn the
situation around: 'Rise, be on your way!”.
“Let
us pray for the rapid reinstatement of peace agreements, often
paralysed by opposed and obscure interests. Let there finally be real
guarantees of religious freedom for all, along with the right of
Christians to live serenely where they are born, in the homeland they
have loved as citizens for two thousand years, to contribute as
always to the good of all. May the Lord Jesus, who experienced flight
with the Holy Family and was received in your generous land, watch
over Egyptians on their travels throughout the world in search of
dignity and security”.
“And
may we proceed, in search of the Lord, in search of new roads, new
ways to reach the Lord. And should it be necessary to open up a hole
in the roof so that we all might be closer to the Lord, let our
imagination, creative in charity, lead us to this: to find and make
new roads for encounter, roads of brotherhood, roads of peace”.
On
his part, the Patriarch Sidrak emphasised that “in this delicate
historical moment”, the Church in Egypt “needs to be supported by
the paternal embrace” of the Holy Father. “In the time that we
prepare to celebrate the incarnation of the Word”, he observed, “we
cannot but recall the historical bond between my land and this
mystery, from the moment in which the first place to welcome the Holy
Family in flight from Herod's persecutions was none other than Egypt.
This corner of land between the desert and the Nile has known, and
still knows, the painful drama experienced by many people who wish to
be listened to and received. Our Church is there, ready to welcome
whoever knocks on the door, and to offer hospitality to whoever seeks
help, to care for the needy and the abandoned, and to give witness to
the Gospel”.
“May
the light of the Holy Nativity be the star that reveals the road of
love, of unity, of reconciliation and of peace, gifts my land greatly
needs. We ask your blessing, Holy Father, and await you in Egypt”.
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