Vatican City, 5 May 2015 (VIS) –
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches, concluded his visit to Iraq at a meeting of the
bishops of the country with the entities that form the Roaco
(Riunione Opere Aiuto Chiese Orientali”, “Reunion of Aid Agencies
for the Oriental Churches”) in Erbil.
The cardinal, in his second trip to
Iraq, brought Pope Francis' blessing to Iraqi Christians and
transmitted the acknowledgement and encouragement of the Authorities
for their work in the difficult current context of Iraq in favour of
Christians, other minorities and those who suffer as a result of the
violence. From 1 to 3 May Cardinal Sandri visited Baghdad where he
celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Chaldean Cathedral of St. Joseph
and lunched with refugees assisted by various ecclesial institutions.
In Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, he met with the Roaco
delegation which is planning aid projects in various areas of
pastoral life and in the assistance of refugees.
In his final address to the bishops in
Erbil, the cardinal referred to the “signs of light” he had seen
in the Churches of Iraq during his visit: “The liturgy, the hymns,
the trust in Mary, but above all the splendour of charity, through
ordinary works and those linked to the various forms of welcome and
pastoral assistance to displaced and persecuted people. I have
encountered first hand the heroic dedication of the many priests who
are truly good pastors, who do not flee and who stay beside their
flock; I have been moved by the profound communion that precedes any
theological discussion – although the latter is necessary – and
any other form of ecumenical agreement, when priests of different
Christian churches wish well to each other and, along with the
laypeople, organise aid activities for displaced persons, or guide
educational paths in schools and parishes. It is also good to see the
collaboration that the various agencies of the Roaco have offered in
the planning and implementation phases for the good of all of you”.
“You are all members of the Synods of
the respective patriarchal Churches”, he affirmed, addressing the
bishops. “Along with the patriarchs and in communion with them,
seek to ensure that the ecclesial body grows with collaboration at
every juncture. And I add: especially in this time of difficulty in
Iraq, ever deeper communion is needed between the Churches. I hope
that this may occur between the Chaldean and Syro-Catholic Churches,
which represent the majority, and between these two and the smaller
Churches. Let us reject any form of isolation or self-referentiality,
and I invite you to recognise and enhance the value of the assembly
of Catholic bishops of Iraq and the assembly in which you gather with
your brethren in the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Indeed, ensure that
the logic of majority and minority that is causing so much harm to
the country does not have repercussions within the confines of the
Church, although I am sure that this danger is far removed from
reality”.
Cardinal Sandri concluded his address
by invoking the protection of Our Lady and of St. Peter for Pope
Francis, “always so close to the Christians of the Middle East and
to all those who are persecuted”, and for their Beatitudes the
Patriarchs Louis Raphael I Sako of the Chaldean Catholic Church, and
Ignatius Joseph III Younan of the Syro-Catholic Church.
No comments:
Post a Comment