Pope urges security and peace for Iraq’s Christians
(July 2, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday welcomed Iraq’s new ambassador to the
Holy See, Habbeb Mohammed Radi Ali Al-Sadr, and called on his government to provide
security and peace to the country’s minority Christian community so that they are
not forced to leave their ancestral homeland. At a formal ceremony in the Vatican
ambassador Al-Sadr presented his credentials to the Pope. The new ambassador spoke
of the difficulties faced by Christians in Iraq and the steps taken by the Government
to afford them greater protection. Here follows the text of the address that Pope
Benedict delivered in response:
Your Excellency, I am pleased
to welcome you at the start of your mission and to accept the Letters accrediting
you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq to the
Holy See. I thank you for your kind words, and I ask you to convey to President Jalal
Talabani my respectful greetings and the assurance of my prayers for the peace and
well-being of all the citizens of your country. On 7 March 2010, the people
of Iraq gave a clear sign to the world that they wish to see an end to violence and
that they have chosen the path of democracy, through which they aspire to live in
harmony with one another within a just, pluralist and inclusive society. Despite
attempts at intimidation on the part of those who do not share this vision, the people
showed great courage and determination by presenting themselves at the polling stations
in large numbers. It is to be hoped that the formation of a new Government will now
proceed swiftly so that the will of the people for a more stable and unified Iraq
may be accomplished. Those who have been elected to political office will need to
show great courage and determination themselves, in order to fulfil the high expectations
that have been placed in them. You may be assured that the Holy See, which has always
valued its excellent diplomatic relations with your country, will continue to provide
whatever assistance it can, so that Iraq may assume its rightful place as a leading
nation in the region with much to contribute to the international community. The
new Government will need to give priority to measures designed to improve security
for all sectors of the population, particularly the various minorities. You have
spoken of the difficulties faced by Christians and I note your comments about the
steps taken by the Government to afford them greater protection. The Holy See naturally
shares the concern you have expressed that Iraqi Christians should remain in their
ancestral homeland, and that those who have felt constrained to emigrate will soon
consider it safe to return. Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians have
been present in the land of Abraham, a land which is part of the common patrimony
of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is greatly to be hoped that Iraqi society
in the future will be marked by peaceful coexistence, as is in keeping with the aspirations
of those who are rooted in the faith of Abraham. Although Christians form a small
minority of Iraq’s population, they have a valuable contribution to make to its reconstruction
and economic recovery through their educational and healthcare apostolates, while
their engagement in humanitarian projects provides much-needed assistance in building
up society. If they are to play their full part, however, Iraqi Christians need to
know that it is safe for them to remain in or return to their homes, and they need
assurances that their properties will be restored to them and their rights upheld. Recent
years have seen many tragic acts of violence committed against innocent members of
the population, both Muslim and Christian, acts which as you have pointed out are
contrary to the teachings of Islam as well as those of Christianity. This shared
suffering can provide a deep bond, strengthening the determination of Muslims and
Christians alike to work for peace and reconciliation. History has shown that some
of the most powerful incentives to overcome division come from the example of those
men and women who, having chosen the courageous path of non-violent witness to higher
values, have lost their lives through cowardly acts of violence. Long after the present
troubles have receded into the past, the names of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Father
Ragheed Ganni and many more will live on as shining examples of the love that led
them to lay down their lives for others. May their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of
so many others like them, strengthen within the Iraqi people the moral determination
that is necessary if political structures for greater justice and stability are to
achieve their intended effect. You have spoken of your Government’s commitment
to respect human rights. Indeed, it is of the utmost importance for any healthy society
that the human dignity of each of its citizens be respected both in law and in practice,
in other words that the fundamental rights of all should be recognized, protected
and promoted. Only thus can the common good be truly served, that is to say those
social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to flourish,
to attain their full stature, and to contribute to the good of others (cf. Compendium
of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 164-170). Among the rights that must be fully
respected if the common good is to be effectively promoted, the rights to freedom
of religion and freedom of worship are paramount, since it is they that enable citizens
to live in conformity with their transcendent dignity as persons made in the image
of their divine Creator. I therefore hope and pray that these rights will not only
be enshrined in legislation, but will come to permeate the very fabric of society
– all Iraqis have a part to play in building a just, moral and peaceable environment. You
begin your term of office, Mr Ambassador, in the months leading up to a particular
initiative of the Holy See for the support of the local Churches throughout the region,
namely the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. This will
provide a welcome opportunity to explore the role and the witness of Christians in
the lands of the Bible, and will also give an impetus to the important task of inter-religious
dialogue, which has so much to contribute to the goal of peaceful coexistence in mutual
respect and esteem among the followers of different religions. It is my earnest hope
that Iraq will emerge from the difficult experiences of the past decade as a model
of tolerance and cooperation among Muslims, Christians and others in the service of
those most in need. Your Excellency, I pray that the diplomatic mission
that you begin today will further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Holy
See and your country. I assure you that the various departments of the Roman Curia
are always ready to offer help and support in the fulfilment of your duties. With
my sincere good wishes, I invoke upon you, your family, and all the people of the
Republic of Iraq, abundant divine blessings.