(Vatican Radio) The President of Caritas Internationalis,
Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodriguez Maradiaga S.D.B. has written a letter to Chaldean
Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako and to the President of Caritas Iraq, Bishop
Shlemon Warduni to express his concern for the safety of their communities and for
the wellbeing of “all the people of Iraq.”
Alarmed at the “atrocities” being committed by Islamic State militants against
minority Christians, Yazidis, Kurds, Shabaks, Madaeans, and others, Cardinal Maradiaga
observed with dismay “the massive displacement of 1.2 million people, many of them
civilians trying to escape appalling atrocities in the hope of saving their own lives
and those of their families.”
“With great dismay we see images of people who literally have been robbed of every
last possession and now have no means to buy food or attend to their basic needs.”
Many, including 40 children who died from lack of water, have perished as they flee
the violence.
The Cardinal reflected that humanity has not learned from the historical atrocities
of the Twentieth century: “How can members of the same family inflict such atrocities
on their own people in the name of religion? Or is it rather the manipulation of ruthless
greed for power that inflicts such ruthless violence on so many innocent people?”
He wondered .
Cardinal Maradiaga appealed to the militants of the Islamic State “to cease inflicting
atrocities on their brothers and sisters and to work towards building peaceful societies,
where all human persons, whether in minority or majority communities can live together
in peace and where everyone can flourish.”
He expressed “deep concern” that the surge in violence “may push back advancements
in the Christian – Muslim dialogue and destroy the peaceful coexistence…enjoyed by
many Muslims and Christians in all parts of the world, but most especially in the
Middle East.”
Concluding his letter, Cardinal Maradiaga offered Caritas’ solidarity with the
courageous religious, lay and Caritas aid workers “who provide practical help in local
communities to alleviate the suffering, giving food and shelter or healing trauma.”
The text of Cardinal Maradiaga's letter follows:
My dear brothers in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
On behalf of the Caritas Internationalis Confederation I send you fraternal greetings
and assure of my deep concern for your safety and wellbeing and, most especially of
my prayers for you and all the people of Iraq.
It is with great sadness, that, once again, we are forced to witness destructive
violence in the region and, in particular in your beloved country of Iraq. It is with
aching hearts that we observe the massive displacement of 1.2 million people, many
of them civilians trying to escape appalling atrocities in the hope of saving their
own lives and those of their families.
With great dismay we see images of people who literally have been robbed of every
last possession and now have no means to buy food or attend to their basic needs.
We know that many of them have lost their lives while in flight, as recently happened
with 40 children who died from lack of water.
Despite advances in recognizing the rights of minorities within the international
community, the atrocities in your country concern these very same groups: Christians,
Yazidis, Kurds, Shabaks, Madaeans, and others.
When will our global human family begin to learn from history? The forced imposition
of the sign “N” on the doors of Christian homes brings to mind another atrocity that
occurred during the last century and that led to terrible suffering and death of millions
of people. As our Holy Father Pope Francis says: “Violence is never defeated by violence.
Violence is conquered by peace."
How can members of the same family inflict such atrocities on their own people
in the name of religion? Or is it rather the manipulation of ruthless greed for power
that inflicts such ruthless violence on so many innocent people?
Caritas Internationalis, which witnesses, through its name and every action,
to “love across the nations,” calls for one human family in which no one should die
of hunger or thirst, nor lose their lives as a result of hatred and violent aggression.
We work to advance a human family that lives together in peace and harmony, in charity
and justice.
We call upon the militants of the Islamic State to cease inflicting atrocities
on their brothers and sisters and to work towards building peaceful societies, where
all human persons, whether in minority or majority communities can live together in
peace and where everyone can flourish. We share a
deep concern that this most recent surge of violence may push back advancements in
the Christian – Muslim dialogue and destroy the peaceful coexistence and conviviality
that is enjoyed by many Muslims and Christians in all parts of the world, but most
especially in the Middle East.
My Brothers in Episcopal Ministry, I congratulate you and all people of good
will in your country for your courage and strong and loving witness as you stand firmly
against these crimes against humanity and as you defend the right to life for all
people at all stages from conception to natural death. All women and men engaged in
the Caritas Confederation accompany you so that together we can raise a “continuous
prayer to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of peace” , most especially in this land
of our Father Abraham, the Patriarch whose memory is sacred to all Jewish, Christian,
and Muslim people, since he passed on to us our love and faith in the one God, the
Creator of the Universe and Author of life.
We send our love, support and solidarity all those courageous aid workers of
Caritas, of religious congregations and other organizations who provide practical
help in local communities to alleviate the suffering, giving food and shelter or healing
trauma. You are working humbly and tirelessly in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ
and in fulfilment of His Gospel mandate, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for
one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Finally, we in Caritas join our voices to yours as we advocate with religious
and civil leaders, at local, national, regional, and global levels, to ensure that
the safety of affected people concerned is put at the forefront, that the rule of
law is recognized and enforced, and that no more weapons reach those committing such
crimes against human life and dignity. Let us remain committed to promote and support
a culture of peaceful dialogue that strives to establish solidarity and shared responsibility
among all peoples in all nations.
May God continue to bless our every action taken in His name and bring them to
fulfilment.
Yours in Christ
+Oscar Andrés Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga S.D.B.
President, Caritas Internationalis
