Vatican
City, 12 February 2016 (VIS) - Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of
the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, has sent his annual
letter to bishops around the world regarding the Good Friday
collection for the Holy Land, "the East whence comes our
redemption", as he writes in the text published yesterday and
dated 10 February. "There lie our roots; there lies our heart.
We are indebted to those who went out from there, carrying the light
of faith to the world. Likewise, we are indebted to those who
remained to give witness to that faith, in spite of the conflicts
that have always tortured that Land", continues the prelate.
"Nonetheless, the Christians in the Holy Land care for the
places marked by the passage of Jesus Himself, allowing us to touch,
as it were, the truth of our faith".
"This
land challenges our charity, as it always has, yet today with a
growing urgency. Indeed, every person who lives and works there
deserves our prayers and our concrete assistance, so necessary for
the continuation of the work of healing wounds and fostering
confidently justice and peace. In this Jubilee year, we are urged
more than ever to demonstrate our mercy and solicitude for our
brothers in the Middle East. Refugees, displaced persons, the
elderly, children, and the sick are all in need of our help. In this
land of the East, people are dying, being kidnapped and even killed.
Many live in agony for their loved ones, or suffer when the family is
divided on account of forced migration and exodus. They know the
darkness and fear of neglect, of loneliness, of misunderstanding. It
is a time of trials and challenges, even of martyrdom. All this
necessarily augments our obligation to help, to respond to
emergencies, to reconstruct and to invent new ways of meeting the
whole gamut of needs".
“'We
cannot remain indifferent: God is not indifferent! God cares about
mankind, God does not abandon us'. This care is expressed by our open
hands, contributing generously. It can also be shown by making
pilgrimages without fear to the places of our salvation, visiting
also the schools and centers of assistance, where one can draw near
to the local Christians and listen to their stories. The Collection
for the Holy Land reminds us of an 'ancient' duty, which the history
of recent years has made more urgent, but no less a source of the joy
that comes from helping our brothers".
The
Collection for the Holy Land is destined for Israel, the Palestinian
Territories, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia and
Eritrea, Turkey, Iran and Iraq.
In
a report included with the letter the Cardinal provides a summary of
the activities carried out in the Holy Land by the Franciscan Custody
of the Holy Land as a result of the 2015 collection, destined both
for pilgrims (restoration of some of the Holy Places and works to
improve reception), and for local communities (parish family
counselling centres, support for artisanal initiatives, study grants,
subsidies enabling young families to stay in the Holy Land, schools,
and medical and social assistance).
Among
the other works this year, special attention has been paid to
Christians in Lebanon and Syria who live in situations of extreme
need, by sending money to support local communities, the
reconstruction of infrastructure and the development of new
initiatives.
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