Fr Lombardi Editorial : Why Cyprus?
 

(29 May 10 - RV) In his weekly editorial, entitled “Why Cyprus” Fr Federico Lombardi reflects on the biblical importance of Cyprus:

“Many people wonder why the Pope is going to Cyprus to meet with the Bishops of the Middle East and give them the working guidelines for the next Synod, the great ecclesial meeting scheduled for next October. The answer is quite simple. We only have to read the Acts of the Apostles, the account of the first steps in proclaiming the Gospel to the world after the Resurrection of Jesus.

Cyprus is mentioned at least six times. Barnabas comes from Cyprus, one of the first to join the community of the apostles in Jerusalem. Cyprus is the first stop – both troubled and fertile – on the first missionary journey of Paul, Barnabas and the future evangelist Mark. Barnabas returns to evangelize Cyprus when he is separated from Paul. Paul passes back and forth along the coasts of Cyprus on his travels, even on his final journey, which brings him to Malta and then to Rome.

Moreover, we only have to glance at the map to see that Cyprus is a strategic crossroads, and therefore also a cultural and spiritual one, in a region with a history that is closely connected to the Holy Land. It lay on the route of Jewish and Christian pilgrims on their way to and from Jerusalem, of travellers between East and West, between Asia and Europe. While on the one hand it surprises us that John Paul II never set foot there, it is no surprise that Benedict XVI has gladly accepted the invitation to go there, as a visitor and a pilgrim, on a journey that is an ideal continuation of his visit to Malta, travelling along the Mediterranean towards the East. It is a journey that also recalls last years fundamental voyage to the Holy Land itself.

Cyprus, therefore, invites us to look around, to pray and hope for an announcement and service of the Gospel that is a source of dialogue, of ecclesial communion, human growth and peace for all, in a region that is dear to all believers, but which is still experiencing too much suffering and division”.