Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kabul (Fides Service) – Sincere gratitude to the Barnabite Fathers for their pastoral zeal and also the Catholic humanitarian agencies, Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Germany Trocaire (Caritas Ireland) Misereor (German Bishops’ aid agency) was voiced by Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico Nuncio to Pakistan, who recently visited Kabul in Afghanistan. The Nuncio attended celebrations to mark 70th anniversary of the opening of the only Catholic church in the country: the chapel at the Italian embassy and the beginning of pastoral activity of Kabul Mission sui iuris established on 16 May 2002 and the installation of the Kabul Catholic Mission Superior Italian Barnabite Father Giuseppe Moretti.
More than 200 people attended the Mass in the Embassy chapel, including civil authorities, diplomats, members of the international community army officers and members of the international peace keeping force.
The Nuncio said that Barnabites, work in the past 70 years has been essential for keeping the flame of faith alight in Afghanistan. Arriving in 1922 “the fathers offered spiritual and moral assistance to international personnel in a spirit of obedience and ecclesial service”. The fruits of this service were: regular celebration of the Sacraments; point of reference for local Catholics; ecumenical relations with other Churches; support to Little Sisters of Jesus during the hard times under the Taliban regime.
Archbishop D’Errico thanked the Italian government and its representative Ambassador Domenico Giorgi for having the Chapel at the Embassy and, on behalf of the Holy See, he thanked the Barnabite Fathers for their zeal in so many years of pastoral service. The creation of the Mission sui iuris, he said “is an important step for the growth of the local Church and for future development”.
Addressing the Mission Superior Father Moretti, the Nuncio said: “I will accompany you with prayer on your delicate mission. You are called to render ever more visible the Church’s love for this country. We can imagine the difficulties: scarcity of pastoral workers; the poor knocking no your door in great numbers, organisation of life at Kabul Catholic Mission. However we are pleased to see a great spirit of collaboration with the civil authorities, diplomats, humanitarian workers and members of armed forces”.
“We renew our commitment to serve the Church and the country – the Nuncio concluded – which means operating, in fidelity to Christian values, concrete solidarity for the poor and the needy; working to promote peace and to defend the fundamental rights of every human person.” PA (Fides Service 29/9/2003 EM lines 36 Words: 442)
