Pope’s message to head of Assyrian Church of the East

(May 28, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI has sent his “congratulations and prayerful good wishes” to the head of the Assyrian Church of the East on the occasion of 50 years of his episcopal consecration and commended him for his efforts in improving relations between his Church and the Catholic Church. Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, who established his headquarters in the United States, was consecrated bishop on 11 Feb., 1962, and became head of Assyrian Church of the East in 1976. “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,” the Pope wrote in a message. The Pope particularly recalled Mar Dinkha’s presence in the Vatican at the funeral of Blessed John Paul II in 2005, and an earlier visit to Rome in 1994, to sign a Common Declaration on Christology. He expressed satisfaction that the subsequent Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East has borne many fruits. He renewed his hope 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”. Pope Benedict also reiterated his “solidarity with the Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East,” and prayed 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.