Pope celebrates Jubilee of Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East
Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Mar Dinkha
IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East. The Assyrian Church's
historical homeland is in Iraq and other areas of the Middle East, but in recent years
has spread across the world due to emigration. In his message, Pope Benedict recalled
several ecumenical highlights between the two Churches, including the 1994 Common
Declaration on Christology and the establishment of a Joint Commission for Theological
Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East.
Pope
Benedict took the occasion to also express his "solidarity with the Christian communities
in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, praying that effective forms of common witness
to the Gospel and pastoral collaboration in the service of peace, reconciliation and
unity may be deepened between the Catholic and Assyrian faithful."
Message
of the Holy Father To His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian
Church of the East
The Golden Jubilee of the episcopal consecration
of Your Holiness, which has culminated in your distinguished ministry as Catholicos
Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, offers me the opportunity to extend
my congratulations and prayerful good wishes to you. I thank the Lord for the many
blessings he has bestowed on the Assyrian Church of the East through your ministry,
and I am grateful for your commitment to promoting constructive dialogue, fruitful
cooperation and growing friendship between our Churches. I recall your presence at
the funeral of John Paul II and, previously, your 1994 visit to Rome to sign a Common
Declaration on Christology. The subsequent Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East has borne many fruits.
I renew the hope which I expressed during your visit to Rome in June 2007, that “the
fruitful labour which the Commission has accomplished over the years can continue,
while never losing sight of the ultimate goal of our common journey towards the re-establishment
of full communion”. I wish also to reiterate my solidarity with the Christian communities
in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, praying that effective forms of common witness
to the Gospel and pastoral collaboration in the service of peace, reconciliation and
unity may be deepened between the Catholic and Assyrian faithful. Your Holiness,
on this significant anniversary, I pray that the love of God the Father may enfold
you, the wisdom of the Son enlighten you and the fire of the Holy Spirit continue
to inspire you. With sentiments of respect, I extend to Your Holiness a fraternal
embrace in Jesus Christ our Saviour.