杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis on Monday received in audience Representatives of the Christian Churches in Iraq visiting Rome on the occasion of the first anniversary of his Apostolic Journey to the country in March 2021.

Courageous witnesses of the Gospel

In his address to the delegation , the Holy Father recalled that Iraq is the cradle of civilization and of Christianity, remarking that it has also been a land of exiles since biblical times. Referring to the tragic events of these recent years, he expressed his deep gratitude to the Christian communities of Iraq for their 鈥渃ourageous witnesses of fidelity to the Gospel鈥� amid persecution.

Fraternal relations

He further commended the Iraqi Churches for their fraternal relations which have allowed to establish 鈥渕any links of collaboration in the field of pastoral care, formation and service to the poorest鈥� and encouraged them to 鈥渃ontinue along this path, so that, through concrete initiatives, constant dialogue and, fraternal love, progress may be made towards full unity鈥�

An essential component of Iraqi society

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to point out that Christians are an essential component of Iraqi society. 鈥淚raq without Christians鈥�, he said, 鈥渨ould no longer be Iraq, because Christians, along with other believers, contribute strongly to the country鈥檚 specific identity as a place where co-existence, tolerance and mutual acceptance have flourished ever since the first centuries鈥�.  This is why, 杏MAP导航 Francis stressed 鈥渘o stone should be left unturned in ensuring that Christians continue to feel that Iraq is their home, and that they are citizens in their own right鈥�.

The importance of dialogue

The Holy Father further highlighted that Christians of Iraq have the special vocation of ensuring  that religions be at the service of fraternity and therefore the duty to engage in dialogue. Dialogue, he said, 鈥渋s the best antidote to extremism, which is a danger for the followers of any religion and a grave threat to peace鈥�.

He also noted fundamentalism can be eradicated only through  addressing its root causes, which include 鈥渕aterial, cultural and educational poverty and  situations of injustice and vulnerability鈥�.

"Don't get discouraged!"

Wrapping up his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis called on Christians not be discouraged and to continue invoking the Spirit of Jesus 鈥渕aker of unity鈥�: 鈥淟et us ask the Holy Trinity, the model of true unity which is not uniformity, to strengthen communion among us and among our Churches. In this way we will be able to respond to the Lord鈥檚 heartfelt desire that his disciples be 鈥榦ne鈥� , 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded.

Members of the delegation

Members of the Iraqi delegation included, amongst others,  Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Nicodemus Daoud of Mosul and East Assyrian Bishop Abris Youkhanna of Kirkuk and Diana, who both expressed deep gratitude to 杏MAP导航 Francis for his  historic visit to Iraq.

Gratitude for the 杏MAP导航's visit to Iraq

Indeed, Archbishop Daoud highlighted the positive impact of that visit on interreligious relations in the country, especially on the attitude of Muslims towards Christians. For his part, Bishop Youkhanna noted that the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visit has given a 鈥渘ew impulse and light鈥� to ecumenical dialogue in Iraq. 鈥淒ialogue is made up of human relationships that constantly reminds us that we are all children of God, and therefore brothers鈥�, the prelate said.