The Bishop of Rome will not rest as long as people are deprived:Pope Francis
Vatican City, 21 Nov 2013: ‘The Bishop of Rome will not rest as long as there are
men and women, of any religion, are affected in their dignity, deprived of basic survival,
robbed of the future, forced to the status of refugees and displaced persons. Pope
Francis made these comments while addressing the participants in the Plenary Assembly
of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Vatican on Thursday morning.
‘Today, along with the pastors of the Churches of the East, we appeal that the right
of all to have a decent life, and to freely profess their faith, are respected. I
do not think we resign ourselves to the Middle East without Christians, who for two
thousand years have confessed the name of Jesus, inserted themselves as full citizens
in their nation’s social, cultural and religious diversity’, added the Pope.
This
plenary session aims to recapture the grace of the Second Vatican Council and the
subsequent Magisterium on Christian life. The verification of the progress made, will
emerge as guidelines to support the mission entrusted by the Council to the brothers
and sisters of the East, that is, to "promote the unity of all Christians, especially
Eastern Christians, observed Pope Francis.
Recalling his meeting with the
Patriarchs and Major Archbishops in the morning, Pope Francis said that he has come
to know of the situation of the various Eastern Churches: the vitality of the long
oppressed churches under communist regimes, the missionary dynamism of those that
refer to the preaching of the Apostle Thomas; perseverance of those living in the
Middle East, in an environment marked by hostility and conflict.
Referring
to the various problems concerning the internal life of the Eastern Churches and the
size of the Diaspora, the Pontiff said, ‘we must do everything we can …, facilitating
the pastoral care both in their territories where the Eastern communities have long-established,
while promoting communion and fellowship with the community of the Latin rite. He
suggest to give renewed vitality to the consultative bodies that already exist between
the individual Churches and the Holy See.
My thoughts turn especially to the
blessed land where Christ lived, died and rose again, said the Pope, adding, I also
felt today from the voice of the Patriarchs that the light of faith has not died,
rather shines lively.’ Every Catholic has therefore a debt of gratitude to the churches
which live in that region. From them we can, among other things, learn the hard daily
exercise of ecumenical spirit and dialogue, added the Pope.
Pope Francis also
referred to the suffering Christians in the Middle East because of tensions and conflicts,
especially in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and other areas of the Holy Land. My thoughts go
finally to Jerusalem, where we are all born spiritually, said the Pope. I wish you
every comfort that can be truly prophecy of the final call , from east to west , arranged
by God ( cf. Is 43,5 ) . The blessed John XXIII and John Paul II, tireless workers
for peace on earth, are our intercessors in heaven , with the All-Holy Mother of God,
who gave us the Prince of Peace . Upon each of you and you love Oriental Churches
I invoke the blessings of the Lord.Source: VR Sedoc