Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “I wish first of all to reaffirm the importance I attribute to the witness offered by your local Churches” said the Holy Father Benedict XVI in his address to Bishops of the Latin Rite in Arab regions, received in audience on 18 January for their five yearly ad limina visit. “In your region - the Pope remarked -, unending violence, insecurity and hatred render collaboration most difficult, and at times lead to fear for the existence of your communities. This is a serious challenge for your pastoral service, and prompts you to strengthen the faithful in their faith and sense of brotherhood, so that all may live with hope founded on the certainty that the Lord never abandons those who turn to Him”. The Pope urged the Bishops to be close to the people entrusted to their care, “sustaining them in times of trial and showing them how to walk the path of authentic fidelity to the Gospel by fulfilling their duties as disciples of Christ”.
Although it is understandable that in some difficult situations Christian feel forced to leave their homeland in order to life a more worthy life, the Pope urged the Bishops to “sustain and encourage those who choose to remain faithful to their homeland so that it does not become simply an archaeological lacking ecclesial life”. The Holy Father gave full support to initiatives undertaken by local Churches “to contribute towards the creation of socio-economic conditions which can help Christian who stay in their country ” and he urged “the whole Church to offer vigorous support for these efforts”.
Benedict XVI asked the Bishops in Arab regions to consolidate and develop “authentic communion and serene and respectful collaboration among Catholics of different rites” since these are “eloquent signs for other Christians and for the whole of society”. He stressed the need to continue to deepen fraternal relations with other Churches and ecclesial communities, “a fundamental element on the path to unity and of witnessing to Christ”, and to promote meetings with members of other religions, Jews and Muslims, “to foster ever greater respect for human dignity, equality of the rights and duties of individuals and renewed attention for the needs of all, especially the poorest people”. Benedict XVI said he hoped “authentic religious freedom would be effective everywhere and that the right of every individual to freely practice his religion, or to change it, would not be impeded. This is a primordial right of every human person”.
In the second part of his discourse the Pope indicated as a priority, support for Christian families who face numerous challenges, and for sound formation of children and adults, “to help them fortify their Christian identity and courageously and serenely face situations as they happen, with respect for people who do not share the same convictions”. Speaking of Catholic commitment in the fields of education, medical care and social assistance, much appreciated by the authorities and by the people, the Holy Father said: “In your conditions, developing the values of solidarity, fraternity and reciprocal love, in your societies you announce God's universal love, especially for the poorest and those most in need”. Lastly the Pope praised “the courageous commitment of priests and men and women religious to assist your communities in their daily lives and witness”, and he expressing his closeness to people who suffer all kinds of violence, Benedict XVI concluded “I appeal to the wisdom of all persons of good will especially those with responsibility in collective life, that by privileging dialogue among all parties, violence may cease, real and lasting peace be restored and relations of solidarity and collaboration established”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2008; righe 44, parole 637)
