By Chaldean Patriarchate
Baghdad – Iraq
Baghdad – Iraq
 |
| Photo Chaldean Patriarchate |
Beatitudes, Eminences and Excellencies,
It
is an honor and privilege for me to welcome you, on behalf of Iraqi
Christians. I see Baghdad, the capital city of our beloved country,
delight and bright for embracing you, who seek peace and love. Such an
overwhelming joy that reminds me of prophet Isaiah’s words: “How
beautiful .. are the feet of the messenger announcing peace, of the
messenger of good news, who proclaims salvation..” (52/7). Thank you so much for coming.
The convening of the 26th
Conference of the Catholic Patriarchs of the East, for the first time
in Iraq, has a significant impact on our presence as Christians, in such
difficult circumstances, facing the unprecedented challenges of its’
kind.
Your
presence here today, as Leaders and Fathers of ancient Churches is
truly a strong expression of your solidarity and being with us in all
that we have been through from, persecution, displacement, abandonment,
forced emigration…etc. This assembly in Iraq, at this particular time,
fills us with hope and encourages families to return and stay in our
homeland keeping up our faith, identity, ethics, traditions and
language.
At
the opening of the Synod of Bishops that was held in Rome (October
3-28, 2018) “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”, His
Holiness Pope Francis addressed the importance of “may the Synod awaken our hearts!” To be “extremely fruitful for giving rise to hope.”
Based on that, let me wish that our gathering is a turning point of
“grace and blessing” for Christians and our fellow citizens in this
“troubled” East, with a hope for a better future of peace, stability,
and prosperous society.
Today,
we are called to create a unified Eastern Christian vision that plans
strategically, to sustain our existence and our role in this part of the
world by: being stronger than the “division”; removing the
psychological and historical barriers; and also, by respecting the
differences in ideas and opinions, which is very natural. Realizing this
unity of our Churches is “required” and crucial, as a response for the
call of Jesus Christ (John 17/27) and to help us attaining an
influential presence in the future, in spite of the “pressing”
challenges we are facing, such as emigration and the “religious
extremism” which is the most serious problem.
The
Old Testament displays an exquisite experience about the
theology-Spirituality of “displacement – captivity”, return and
construction. These texts contain a rich, “fertile” and inspirational
heritage, that is required in these circumstances, for the support and
development of the spirituality of our displaced families in Iraq and
Syria, to help them return and construct their homes.
Therefore,
this cooperation of all Churches in the region is urged to focus on
“highlighting” the theology – Spirituality of the displaced and the
emigrants; the theology of return and the celebration of construction
and renewal. Moreover, we together, have to hold on it, since it
represents the “spot light” of Christian hope that should grow and
spread.
This
conference is a “vital” message to all Iraqis, and Midlle East
citenzens towards eliminating intolerance, endorsing dialogue, spreading
the values of peace and citizenship, consolidating the principles of
coexistence through recognition, acceptance and respect of privacy,
which is almost “missing” in our societies.
In
the spirit of such a blessed environment, of true renewal for a better
tomorrow, we have a hope that the new recently formed Iraqi Government
give the priority to a “serious practical” plan for community
reconciliation; a strategy based on citizenship, law, equality and
provision of services for all Iraqis, to live in freedom, dignity and
social justice.
Finally,
I would like to conclude by joining Emmaus Disciples, who begged Jesus
to stay with them saying, ‘It is nearly evening, and the day is almost
over (Luke 24/29)