From August 6-9 of this year, the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Italy, His Excellency, Nunzio Galantino, having been invited by the Patriarch for Latin Catholics in Jerusalem, His Beatitude, Fouwad Toual, and by the Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, His Excellency, Maroun Lahham, will travel to Jordan to mark the first anniversary of the arrival of the Iraqi refugees in Jordan (August 8, 2014). There, he will participate in various initiatives and meetings, including visits to some of the refugee welcoming centres.
On this occasion, Pope Francis wished to send a message of closeness to the refugees, of gratitude to those who are caring for them in the midst of their problems and to issue a call to the international community urging them not to remain complacent in the face of such a dramatic situation.
Dear brother,
I take this occasion of the visit to Jordan of His Excellency, Nunzio Galantino, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Italy to reach out to you with a word of hope for all those who are oppressed by violence, and those who have been forced to abandon their houses and their land.
On several occasions, I have wanted to give voice to the atrocious, inhuman and unspeakable persecutions committed against those in many parts of the world - and especially among Christians - who are victims of fanaticism and intolerance, often before the eyes of and in the silence observed by all. These are the martyrs of today, humiliated and discriminated against for their faithfulness to the gospel. My remembrance, which calls out in solidarity, is intended to be a sign of a Church which does not forget and never abandons her children in exile because of their faith: that they might know that a daily prayer for them is raised, together with gratitude for the testimony that they offer us.
My thoughts go also to the community which has taken care of these brothers, avoiding the temptation to look the other way. You are proclaiming the gospel of Christ by sharing in their pain and offering solidarity and deeply appreciated assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees; by concerning yourself with their suffering, which at times may risk stifling their hope; through your fraternal service, which illuminates a dark moment of their existence.
May the Lord reward you, as only He can, with the abundance of his gifts.
For its part, may world opinion be always more attentive, sensitive and sympathetic in the face of persecution that is carried out against Christians and, more generally, against religious minorities. I renew my hope that the International Community may not remain mute and inactive before such unacceptable crime which constitutes a preoccupying deprivation of the most basic human rights and an impediment to the wealth of coexistence between people, cultures and faiths.
I ask you please to pray for me. May the Lord bless you and may Our Lady protect you.
Fraternally,
Francis
On this occasion, Pope Francis wished to send a message of closeness to the refugees, of gratitude to those who are caring for them in the midst of their problems and to issue a call to the international community urging them not to remain complacent in the face of such a dramatic situation.
Letter of His Holiness, Pope Francis
to His Excellency, Maroun Lahham
Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem for Latins
and Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan
Dear brother,
I take this occasion of the visit to Jordan of His Excellency, Nunzio Galantino, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Italy to reach out to you with a word of hope for all those who are oppressed by violence, and those who have been forced to abandon their houses and their land.
On several occasions, I have wanted to give voice to the atrocious, inhuman and unspeakable persecutions committed against those in many parts of the world - and especially among Christians - who are victims of fanaticism and intolerance, often before the eyes of and in the silence observed by all. These are the martyrs of today, humiliated and discriminated against for their faithfulness to the gospel. My remembrance, which calls out in solidarity, is intended to be a sign of a Church which does not forget and never abandons her children in exile because of their faith: that they might know that a daily prayer for them is raised, together with gratitude for the testimony that they offer us.
My thoughts go also to the community which has taken care of these brothers, avoiding the temptation to look the other way. You are proclaiming the gospel of Christ by sharing in their pain and offering solidarity and deeply appreciated assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees; by concerning yourself with their suffering, which at times may risk stifling their hope; through your fraternal service, which illuminates a dark moment of their existence.
May the Lord reward you, as only He can, with the abundance of his gifts.
For its part, may world opinion be always more attentive, sensitive and sympathetic in the face of persecution that is carried out against Christians and, more generally, against religious minorities. I renew my hope that the International Community may not remain mute and inactive before such unacceptable crime which constitutes a preoccupying deprivation of the most basic human rights and an impediment to the wealth of coexistence between people, cultures and faiths.
I ask you please to pray for me. May the Lord bless you and may Our Lady protect you.
Fraternally,
Francis
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