 |
| Photo Chaldean Patriarchate |
Dear Sisters and Brothers
I would like to start with my heartfelt
congratulations to you all, for having the new Bishop, Mar Bawai Soro,
who showed during his service in our Chaldean Church; a strong faith;
great trust in God; a lot of patience; and a steady hope. In addition,
he is gifted with wisdom and a bunch of good human and Christian
characteristics. We thank God for him.
Your Excellency Mar Bawai
It is my pleasure on this blessed occasion to congratulate you personally, for being elected as a shepherd to lead this distinguished diocese. I wish you success and assure you that all our bishops will support and accompany you with prayers and love.
On this Sunday, the Chaldean liturgy concludes the time of the Sanctification of the Church, which marks the end of our liturgical year, to begin a new one with the 1st week of the Annunciation (advent Season) time on this coming Sunday. Hence, on the one hand, the church of human not of stones,
should be prepared during the time of Sanctification of the Church to
be worthy for the "Divine Bridegroom" and on the other hand, to be
qualified for entering the mystery of incarnation through vigilance,
prayers and paying attention to the signs of the Lord’s coming.
I believe that, it is not a coincidence
to have the installation of H.E. Mar Bawai at this time of the year,
when both liturgical times converge (the end and the start). Thus, we
pray that the Lord help you to link "the end and the beginning" with
confidence and enthusiasm.
Dear Priests
It gave me a great joy to hear from H.E. Bishop Francis Kalabat about the fraternal spirit among you as well as the teamwork style you follow in helping and collaborating with each other. Furthermore, I am familiar with your sincere love for Christ and the Church even though, none of us is “perfect”. However, I understand all the hardships that you are going through, knowing that Clergy’s duties signify a vital and very important mission, on which the progress of the parish relies, it is "to serve" but not a "job" at all. Therefore, we must equip ourselves on daily basis with prayers, meditation and “self-examination”, which empower us to live up our consecration. Besides, our way of serving should be free from all restrictions and constraints, especially “money” as well as the family and tribal relationships, in order to be fully devoted to deliver the “Word of God” for the community in these harsh circumstances.
It gave me a great joy to hear from H.E. Bishop Francis Kalabat about the fraternal spirit among you as well as the teamwork style you follow in helping and collaborating with each other. Furthermore, I am familiar with your sincere love for Christ and the Church even though, none of us is “perfect”. However, I understand all the hardships that you are going through, knowing that Clergy’s duties signify a vital and very important mission, on which the progress of the parish relies, it is "to serve" but not a "job" at all. Therefore, we must equip ourselves on daily basis with prayers, meditation and “self-examination”, which empower us to live up our consecration. Besides, our way of serving should be free from all restrictions and constraints, especially “money” as well as the family and tribal relationships, in order to be fully devoted to deliver the “Word of God” for the community in these harsh circumstances.
In this Regard, Pope Francis warned us
from falling into what distorts the mission of the Church: “service is
the rule. The one who is greatest is the one who serves most, who is
most at the service of others, not the one who boasts, who seeks power,
money vanity, pride”. because “it is a story that happens every day in
the Church, in every community” where it is often asked: “Who is the
greatest among us? Who is in charge?”. Thus, “ambitions” emerge, along
with the “desire to climb, to have power” (Pope Francis morning meditation in the Chapel of St. Martha, Tuesday, 17 May 2016).
From this, we conclude that the dignity of a bishop and a priest is in
his self-denial, love, and service to the community entrusted to him by
God, so as to find peace and joy in a simple and humble life.
My brothers, I wish that you put into practice the “free service for the Church Sacraments”
similar to what we are doing in Iraq. Moreover, I call upon all of you
to; empower the unity and intimacy with the Patriarchate, the mother
Church in Iraq; implement the recommendations and decisions of the
Synod; preserve our Chaldean identity; and safeguard our Eastern
spirituality and living heritage. Such union is a sign of strength and
richness.
My Sisters and Brothers of Mar Addai Diocese
It is an opportunity to assure you that
you are in our prayers and also to thank you, with all other dioceses
abroad, for your solidarity with the displaced people in Iraq, and the
regional countries. We really appreciate your role in relieving their
pain and encouraging them to remain committed to their faith in Jesus
Christ.
As the Chaldean Abraham "aka, the father
of faith" departed from his land in the East holding onto his hope in
spite of all difficulties and challenges, I call you “who came from the East as well”,
to hold onto your hope, moral values, traditions, identity and
language. The Bible tells us the story of the Magi who followed an
unusual star (Matthew 2:9) and start spreading the news of the newborn
King. Likewise, you “in Diaspora” are called to be “star" leading people to Jesus. For this reason, we chose this particular verse as a motto for the Chaldean Patriarchate: "For we saw His star in the East and have come to worship Him" inspiring everyone to spread the Good News with deep faith, joy and eagerness. Hold onto your unity with Jesus Christ.
My beloved, I urge you to bear your responsibilities, each according to his position, talents and capabilities. Laypeople
are members of the Church community and partners in pastoral work, so
their role shouldn’t be advisory only, but an actual contribution.
Please work closely with your new bishop and your priests for the
better future of the Church and to protect your unity because “dividing the community is a sin”.
I also invite you to play a role in cultural and social activities,
particularly by joining the Chaldean League that brings all Chaldeans
from around the world and unite them to face current challenges.
To conclude I would say, words alone
cannot express my thanks to all those who served this diocese, in
particular the "Apostolic Visitor" Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, the Late
Bishop Hanna Zora, the Apostolic Administrator Msgr. Dawood Bafrro and
Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, who initiated reforms, organized administrative
and pastoral work in this diocese. Last but not least, I would also
like to express my sincere thanks to Bishop Francis Kalabat, the present
Apostolic Administrator, for the care he has given to this diocese
during the three months of chair vacancy.
Please pray for Iraq, where we face
thousands of problems due to conflicts and instability. However as
Christians, we have a “firm and steady” hope for a better future,
strengthened by Christ's promise, "…surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age" (Matthew 28: 20). Despite the oppressions and
difficulties, such promise motivates our powerful presence, and perseverance, and steadiness to achieve peace, the same peace that filled the Early Church.
Finally, I believe that we have gathered at this place, in spite of the distances, to affirm our support to HE Bishop Soro and the community of St. Addai diocese in Canada. Let us stand and pray together: "will keep our lamps lit, waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ".