http://www.orientecristiano.com/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:12:31 GMT FeedCreator 1.8.0-dev (info@mypapit.net) http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/primate-of-the-georgian-orthodox-church-visits-russian-ecclesiastical-mission-during-his-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land.html On 16 February 2012, His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II arrived in the Holy Land to begin his pilgrimage.

Patriarch Iliya is accompanied by Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsaish; Metropolitan Dimitri of Batumi and Lazeti, administrator of the Georgian parishes in North America and Canada; Metropolitan Saba of Khoni and Samtredia; and by other clergymen, representatives of science and art, benefactors, and the choir of the Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral.

The Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church was met at the Ben Gurion airport by Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth (Jerusalem Patriarchate); archimandrite Isidor (Minayev), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem; hieromonk Antoniy (Gutnik), secretary of the Mission, and Sister Georgia (Schukina), abbess of the Gorneye Convent.

On 17 February the delegation led by His Holiness Patriarch Iliya paid a visit to His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine. After that the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church venerated the Holy Sepulchre and visited the Monastery of St Symeon the Godreciever in Katamon.

On the night of 19 February the Primates of the Jerusalem and Georgian Patriarchates celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulchre. Concelebrating were hierarchs and many clerics of the Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem, Russia, Georgia, and Greece.

In the evening of February 19 His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II visited the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. He was welcomed to the Holy Trinity Cathedral by Isidor (Minayev), head of the Mission; Sister Georgia, abbess of the Gorneye Convent; clerics of the Mission, and sisters of the Gorneye Convent.

Archimandrite Isidor greeted the high guest, saying in particular: “Georgia is a very talented and beautiful country and whatever happens in the political arena, everybody knows that the Russian people love the Georgian people. All the temporary disturbances will come to an end and we will not only pray together, but also live in joy together and help each other. Christ is risen!”

His Holiness Patriarch Iliya expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and said: “Faith, culture and traditions of Orthodoxy have always united us and there is no such force which can separate us.”

The Patriarch and the members of the delegation were invited to the festive dinner. Among the guests were distinguished figures of Georgia: the President of the Georgian Academy of Sciences Tamaz Gamkrelidze; film director Avtandil Varsimashvili; singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli; businessman and benefactor Levan Vasadze.

The Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church gave an interview to the Russian Orthodox TV channel “Soyuz”.

During his pilgrimage His Holiness Patriarch Iliya venerated the shrines of Jerusalem, visited the Monastery of the Holy Cross and the Great Lavra of St Sabbas the Sanctified. On  February 22 the Patriarch will visit Jordan, the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission web-site reports.

© http://www.mospat.ru/en/ - february 21th 2012]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:55:57 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/primate-of-the-georgian-orthodox-church-visits-russian-ecclesiastical-mission-during-his-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/patriarch-sviatoslav-shevchuk-visits-political-berlin.html On Friday, February 17, His Beatitude Sviatoslav visited “political Berlin.” The first stage of the visit was a meeting at the Federal Office of the Chancellor of Germany. Then the Primate of the UGCC visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally visited the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. In conversations with senior officials, Patriarch Sviatoslav analyzed the current political, economic, religious and sociopolitical situation in Ukraine. In a special way he explained Ukraine’s current policy on churches and confirmed the wish of many Ukrainians for the president and government to equally treat the various Christian churches in the state.

Much attention was also devoted to the preservation of religious peace between the denominations, their mutual respect and cooperation for the benefit of the society. The head of the UGCC explained his position on the state’s intervention in church policy by changing the owner of the historical and architectural monuments of Ukraine and national symbols of religious life – St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv Cave Monastery, and Pochayiv Monastery.

German politicians expressed their concern over these developments in policy against religious communities. In the future both sides agreed to cooperate and coordinate cooperation.

In addition, Patriarch Sviatoslav found support from the federal agencies on issues of migration in Europe. “A positive attitude and the desire for productive cooperation have been and remain the basis of relations between the church and government of Germany. The purpose of this cooperation is the formation of a nationally conscious and politically mature society,” said the head of the UGCC.

 

UGCC Information Department © http://www.ugcc.org.ua/?L=2 - 18 febbraio 2012]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:51:33 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/patriarch-sviatoslav-shevchuk-visits-political-berlin.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/religious-leaders-condemn-desecration-of-christian-monastery-in-jerusalem.html (Milan/e.p.-f.h.) - Leaders of the Holy Land's main religions have condemned acts of vandalism and graffiti carried out on a Greek Orthodox Monastery in Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land said it “condemns the acts of desecration and graffiti” on the monastery in the early hours of Feb. 7.

The Council, which comprises the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs at the Palestinian Authority, and the heads of the Local Churches of the Holy Land, added: “The Council calls upon people from all faiths – Christians, Jews and Muslims – to respect all Holy Places and sites for all three religions, and strongly discourages extremists’ behaviour that exploits or involves religious holy places in a political/territorial dispute.”

The words “Death to Christians” along with stars of David were scrawled in Hebrew onto the car of Father Claudio, a priest of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Painted on the monastery was "Maccabees of Migron" (Migron is an unauthorized settlement facing a court-ordered evacuation next month), and the words "price tag" - a reference to a practice of Jewish extremists who lash out against the Israeli government for actions against settlers.

Another car was vandalized, with the tyres of both vehicles slashed.

Vandalism was also reported at a nearby Palestinian town of Talmon Alef, with the words “Death to Arabs” and “Revenge” written on one house.

Israeli police said they were investigating both incidents, the latest in a long line of attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank. Such acts usually target West Bank mosques but have recently expanded to include a mosque inside Israel, Israeli military bases, and now, a Christian holy site and a school, according to AP.

Why the violence? To try to understand the reasons, it's necessary to return to what happened after the Six-Day War in 1967. The Israeli government then strongly encouraged the establishment of Israeli communities in the conquered territories of the Sinai, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Attracted by tax concessions and financial incentives, many Israelis answered the call by developing settlements in these territories.

But ever since the government ordered the evacuation of 8,500 settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, relations between the settlers and the government have deteriorated.

Relations between the army and the extremist settlers are also ambiguous. Many reports show the passivity of soldiers during attacks by settlers. In addition, the soldiers guarding the settlements often prove to be the settlers themselves. Thus they can use their weapons and knowledge of the territory to carry out their actions. But the army is also responsible for destroying the illegal settlements and when this happens, the settlers will attack the soldiers or premises of the IDF.

The police are often accused of not carrying out investigations with rigor, and those arrested are usually released "for lack of evidence." Moreover, it is not always easy to find the troublemakers. They act in the utmost discretion: wear gloves, blend into the local population using disguises, and ensure they leave no trace.

The settlers remain a minority, but if their actions increase, they threaten to make the situation explosive.

© http://www.terrasanta.net/tsx/index.jsp - february 8th 2012]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:23 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/religious-leaders-condemn-desecration-of-christian-monastery-in-jerusalem.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/without-dialogue-syria-will-become-a-new-iraq-aleppo-bishop-says.html Mgr Antoine Audo speaks about the recent attacks that left 28 people dead in his city, including two Christians. The prelate notes the spirit of solidarity between Christians and Muslims, united despite a climate of hatred and violence. He calls on the international community to favour dialogue among the various factions rather than a spirit of vengeance. The Arab League calls for the deployment of United Nations troops to stop fighting between Syrian forces and rebels. Pope made an appeal on Sunday.

Aleppo (AsiaNews) – “The international community must favour dialogue among the various groups rather than fuel the spirit of vengeance. Backing one faction against the other will turn Syria into a new Iraq. Otherwise, Christians will pay a heavy price,” said Mgr Antoine Audo, Chaldean bishop of Aleppo after last Saturday’s attack against two Syrian security forces bases that killed 28. Mgr Audo spoke to AsiaNews a day after Benedict XVI issued an appeal to the Syrian government, opposition forces and the international community.

As Syria’s main commercial centre, Aleppo is a symbol of unity and dialogue between Christians, Shias and Sunnis. For a long time, the city was spared from the fighting that raged across the country between rebel troops and government forces since February 2011.

However, tensions have risen in the last few weeks. After a car bomb attack, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Assad’s regime blamed each other for the attack. In Homs and in other rebel-held towns, shelling has resumed In recent days.

Yesterday in Cairo, the 21 representatives of the member states of the Arab League (the 22nd, Syria, is suspended) called for the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers and Arab troops to Syria.

Mgr Audo noted that despite the climate of violence and vengeance of the past few months, residents have remained united, not only in Aleppo but also in other cities.

“Two Christians were killed in the attack,” the prelate explained. “They had gone to the mosque near the blast site to express their solidarity with Muslims. Yesterday, hundreds of people from both communities took part in their funeral.”

According to the bishop, all Syrians irrespective of confessions are suffering from the violence and the deep economic crisis that has crippled the country.

Sanctions and the climate of fear have interrupted almost all economic activities, including the sale of food and drugs. Poor families are the ones that suffer the most from the situation.

“The Catholic Church,” he said, “is helping the exhausted population of Aleppo, Damascus and Homs. I am, as president of Caritas Syria, personally working with other local humanitarian groups to provide food and health treatment to families.”

Yesterday, Benedict XVI issued a new "urgent appeal" to "end the violence and bloodshed" in Syria, along with an invitation to "give priority to the path of dialogue, reconciliation and commitment to peace.” The pope made the plea to everyone, but “above all the political authorities in Syria."

© www.asianews.it - february 13th 2012
]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:35:19 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/without-dialogue-syria-will-become-a-new-iraq-aleppo-bishop-says.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/fighting-the-exodus-and-spiritual-extinction.html  The Middle East is one of the worst hot spots in the world, not only at a geopolitical level, as a fertile ground for every sort of violence and conflicts, but also at a religious one, due to the rising of a militant and political Islam. All over the area, the minorities suffer all kinds of discriminations and persecutions, like the Christians, who are leaving the region at a growing speed.

by BISHOP WILLIAM SHOMALI
Auxiliary of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem*

The Synod of the Catholic Church for the Middle East concerns Arab and non-Arab countries that spread over a vast geographical area from Egypt to Turkey, from Iran to Israel and right through to the Gulf, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Cyprus. It includes, directly or indirectly, 14 million Christians in a population of 330 million inhabitants, among whom we find Arabs, Turks, Iranians, Greeks and Jews. This synod will focus on this very complex and diverse situation.

It's true that, in these last years, we have seen a Synod for Lebanon and another for the Holy Land. One might feel entitled then to pose the following question: “Instead of so ambitious a synod for the entire Middle East, why not organize a special synod for each of those countries that has not yet had one? Why should Lebanon and the Holy Land redo the same work?” The answer lies in the fact that the number and complexity of problems and challenges facing the Middle East are too large to be handled by the various single dioceses and churches separately. In addition, our globalized world makes a synod dealing comprehensively with all our common problems under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff necessary, "cum Petro et sub Petro."

The Synod sets forth two main goals:
- Confirm and strengthen Christians in their identity through the Word of God and the Sacraments.
- Give new life to the ecclesial communion between the sui iuris Churches so that they might provide an authentic witness of joyful and attractive Christian life.
One peculiarity of the Middle East is the large number of sui iuris Eastern Churches that have taken root here: the Melkites, Syrians, Maronites, Copts, Armenians and Chaldeans. These Churches need to live their liturgical and linguistic particularity, on the one hand, and a greater communion among themselves, on the other. Currently, this communion leaves something to be desired. They also need pastoral and liturgical renewal. The Latin Church went through this change at the Second Vatican Council, which revolutionized its liturgy and ecclesiology and gave it a new openness to the world. The Eastern Churches are in need of a similar revolution so that they might be able to adapt and modernize and thus better meet the needs of their congregations today.

The geopolitical situation

Turkey. This country has 72 million inhabitants (source: wikipedia), with a Muslim majority. Christians number 100,000, slightly more than 1 per thousand. Turkey is a secular country, separating state and religion (Islam). It is seeking to give a good impression to gain entry into the European Community. To Turkey's credit, you could cite the secularization introduced by Ataturk in 1924; on the negative side, we must cite the Armenian genocide, for which Turkey refuses to take responsibility and the partition of the island of Cyprus between Turks and Greeks, which is also its responsibility.

Iran. In this country, Shia Islam is dominant in all sectors of society. Seventy-two million are Muslim, while Christians – predominantly Armenians and Assyrians – number only 200,000. News from Iran reports the existence of an active Baptist community, which has made thousands of converts to Christianity (about 10,000 known conversions). But a convert finds himself treated as a renegade, a traitor to Islam and a backer of the chief enemy: America. Iran is rich and supports the Shia of Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza for religious and ideological reasons. This country has territorial ambitions in the Gulf where there is a large and forcefully muted Shiite minority.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Around 33 million people live in this oil-rich region. The various political regimes have differing attitudes towards Christians; it goes from respect – as in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai – to the intransigence and lack of freedom – as in Saudi Arabia. While Qatar has allowed the construction of a large church that can hold 5,000 faithful, Christians in Saudi Arabia, numbering around half a million, are not allowed to gather for prayer. They meet secretly in private homes to pray on Sunday, running the risk of persecution. Another problem is posed by the existence of a large number of Christian immigrant workers, often deprived of their elementary social and religious rights. In addition, militant Islam takes advantage of these immigrant workers' economic embarrassment in order to convert them to Islam. There are a number of converts each year, who are promised substantial material benefits.

Egypt. The number of Copts is not yet certain. Local government statistics speak of 6 million whereas the Coptic Church speaks of 12 million. The figure of 10 million is certainly closer to the truth. Clashes between Muslim and Coptic communities are frequent. The Egyptians are the most religious people in the world in terms of pious practice, but also in terms of bigotry. The Copts feel despised and deprived of many rights, especially their freedom of worship (as demonstrated in the difficulty of building a church) and freedom of conscience. They occupy an insignificant place in society and government. As an example: out of 454 Egyptian parliamentarians, only three are Christians, or less than 1%, while the percentage of Christians in Egypt is 10%, at least.

Iraq. The U.S. invasion decimated the Christian community. Before 1987, it numbered 1.25 million followers, mostly Chaldeans. Today, they are less than 400,000. One of the great disasters of this century is the massive exodus of Iraqi Christians due to the insecurity and harassment of which they are victims. In Iraq, the war unleashed forces of evil in the country, among varying political streams and religious denominations. It has taken a toll on all Iraqis, but the Christians have been among the main victims because they represent the smallest and weakest of Iraqi communities. Even today, global politics completely fail to take them into account. This is in addition to other calamities that have struck the Christians of the Middle East in the past two centuries:
- The genocide of one million-and-a-half Armenians in Turkey in 1915;
- The genocide against the Maronites in 1860 and the Lebanese Civil War caused the exodus of many Christians;
- The constant emigration of Christians from the Holy Land for more than a century.

Syria. The situation of one-and-a-half million Christian Syrians seems tranquil under the Syrian Baath, which rests on the support of minorities, the Asad family itself being from the Alawite minority. But there is always the fear of an unexpected change and turnaround. In Iraq, for example, Christians enjoyed many privileges during Saddam's regime. It seems all it takes is a dethroning to open the Pandora's Box against the Christian population. A phobia with regard to upheavals still exists in the Arab world, given that state policy often depends on the alternatively benevolent or malevolent attitude of the family or party in power, rather than a durable popular mind-set.

Lebanon: Christians are divided on both the political and religious planes, and nobody possesses a plan acceptable to all. The political balance achieved in 1943, when the Christians made up 55% of the total population, does not currently reflect the situation on the ground. The Shiites, who are becoming ever more numerous and stronger, are demanding more authority in Parliament. The current balance of power is weak. Lebanon must attain the position of a mature democracy and leave behind its absurd confessionalism without bloodshed.

Jordan is a quiet country. The Christians feel safe and enjoy religious freedom, with representatives in Parliament and in Government. We have witnessed the warm welcome that the Jordanian King and Government gave to Pope Benedict XVI. Despite this, freedom of conscience does not exist. It is something that we observe in all Arab countries. Islam claims to be the religion of truth, the only truth. The other religions are only tolerated. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon the truth for error. Change of religion is perceived as a betrayal of society, culture and nation, three realities primarily built upon a religious tradition.

Palestine and Israel: The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis has lasted for over 80 years, including six violent confrontations, to which we must add the two general Intifadas. It is an ideological conflict that does not appear close to finding a solution in the short term. The economic situation and lack of security have obliged a large part of the Palestinian Christians to emigrate. The largest number of Palestinian diaspora outside the Arab world – around 500,000 – is located in Chile.

Some of the major problems

The survey has allowed us to identify the major problems faced by Christian communities in the Middle East:

- An emigration that has weakened the fabric of Christian life. This emigration has also opened the eyes of moderate Muslims who see in this exodus an impoverishment of Arab society and the loss of moderate elements. Many Palestinian intellectuals – including Faisal Husseini, the current Grand Mufti of Palestine, Tayseer Tamimi, the Grand Magistrate, President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad – have said that the departure of Christians has been a loss for all Palestinians and will end up setting Jewish and Muslim extremism face to face. Christians are a moderate element that attracts Western sympathy for the Palestinian question. In addition, in the past, the Christians of Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Palestine participated in the progress and development of their respective societies. With their numbers reduced, making up but a small percentage of the total population, their presence becomes insignificant, providing all the more reason for this remnant to emigrate.

- Conversions to Islam. It is true that few Christians become Muslims. But given the small number of our communities, every one counts. In Egypt, it is estimated that up to 15,000 young Christian girls become Muslim for reason related to marriage. Each year, similar cases occur in Palestine and Jordan. Each time it's a tragedy for the family, which looks upon this conversion as a betrayal of her religion and herself. In the majority of cases, the girl is considered lost because the girl completely loses touch with her family. Conversion does not affect girls only. Foreign workers in the Gulf countries are also victims. In order to continue to find work, conversion to Islam helps tremendously. Counting just the small emirate of Dubai, the number of men and women who went over to Islam in 2008 was 2,763. They belonged to 72 different nationalities.

- The rise of political Islam: "The rise of political Islam from the period of around 1970 is a striking phenomenon that affects the region and the situation of Christians in the Arab world. This political Islam includes various religious currents that aim at imposing an Islamic lifestyle on Arab, Turkish or Iranian societies, and all those who live there, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. For these currents, detachment from Islam is the source of all evils. The solution is thus the return to Islamic origins. Hence the slogan: Islam is the solution [...] To achieve this end, some do not hesitate to resort to violence." (Instrumentum Laboris).

- The Ghetto Mentality: "Religion is regarded as an identifier that not only differentiates but may also divide and be used to generate a closing off of relationships and hostility. The danger lies in turning in on ourselves and in fear of the other. We must both strengthen the faith and spirituality of our faithful and strengthen the social bonds and solidarity among them, without falling into a ghetto mentality" (Instrumentum Laboris).

The Synod's response

The Church does not claim to offer prefabricated solutions to all the problems facing Christians living in the Middle East. The situation of each church, or even every believer, is unique and there is no perfect solution for all. Instead, the Church indicates the places and ways to arrive at the solution to these problems and offers three important paths:

- It is necessary to form Christians in reading and living the Word of God. In the Middle East, there is a lot of piety and much popular devotion. But the Word of God has not yet taken its rightful place in the spirituality of the Christian people. Lectio divina has remained the privilege of an elite. One must expend great effort in order to initiate people in reading the Bible and meditating on it. Part of the success of the sects is their contact with the Word of God, plus the fact they have communities everywhere that are fervent and attract those in search of warmth.

The Holy Scriptures, written in our land and in our languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek), with literary and cultural expressions that we feel as our own, will guide our thinking. The Word of God is read in the church. These Scriptures, transmitted and meditated upon in our sacred liturgies, have come to us through church communities. They are an indispensable reference for discovering the meaning of our presence, our communion and our witness in the current context of our respective countries.

Here is a response to Lineamenta concerning the Word of God: “God's Word directs and gives meaning and significance to life, transforming it radically. It blazes paths of hope, and provides a vital balance in our triple relationship with God, ourselves and others. Moreover, it is a help for facing the challenges of today's world. Thus, it ought to be the reference for Christians in educating their children, particularly with regard to the experience of forgiveness and charity. Some families do indeed find there their inspiration in educating their children.”

- We need to form Christians in forgiveness, reconciliation and openness to the other. The Middle East is torn by bloody conflicts, producing implacable hatreds and resentments. Kurds, Iranians, Palestinians, Israelis and Lebanese have suffered terribly, and their wounds have yet to close much less heal. Sometimes, religion is mixed in as the background to the conflict in order to ideologize and consolidate it. The solution lies not in retaliation, which creates a vicious circle of endless violence, but rather in dialogue and forgiveness. This will be the long-term work of educators. Christians have their contribution to make in resolving political or religious conflicts.

Being open to the other also has a religious dimension. While visiting the Holy Land, Palestine and Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI insisted on meeting with Muslim leaders. He did the same with the Hebrew religion in order to encourage dialogue. He knows that the future of humanity depends on our efforts in this way.
Being open to the other also has an ecumenical dimension. Among the responses to Lineamenta, we find these relevant lines: "All the divisions between Churches of the Middle East are the bitter fruits of the past, but the Spirit works with the Churches to bring them together and break down barriers to that visible unity willed by Christ; "...that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (Jn 17:21).

The major divergence between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is in how we understand the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. In his encyclical Ut unum sint (Numbers 88-96, especially 93 and 95), Pope John Paul II accepts responsibility for "finding a way of exercising the primacy which, while not in any way renouncing what is essential to its mission, is nonetheless open to a new situation, taking into account the dual Latin and Eastern canonical tradition."

- We need to form Christians in considering their presence here as a vocation and not as their fate. Christians living in the Middle East are rooted in a certain culture and language, and live with other peoples with whom they share a language, history and many traditions. Christians should not feel that they are foreigners. They are called to be witnesses of Christ in those countries where they live. To flee from their countries of origin means to escape reality. We need to encourage Christians to live with faith and joy in the land of their ancestors. Their departure weakens the few who remain, who would then also seek to leave.

The faithful expect their pastors to give them clear reasons for their mission in each country. It is not for us to be anything other than authentic witnesses of the Risen Christ present in His Church through the Holy Spirit, in those countries where we were born and where we live, countries that are characterized not only through a process of political and democratic maturation, but, unfortunately, also by conflict and instability.

Another factor that could help to limit emigration: to make Christians more aware of the meaning of their presence and the need to engage, here and now, in public life. Everyone in his own country bears the message of Christ to his society. This message is to be carried forward even in difficulties and persecution.

© http://www.worldmission.ph/ ]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:56:56 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/fighting-the-exodus-and-spiritual-extinction.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/gregorios-iii-laham-appeals-to-europe-for-compromise-in-syria.html by Fady Noun
The Melkite patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem, is concerned that Syria has been caught up in a power game between the United States and Russia. He calls on Europe, which has a Mediterranean vocation, to take the initiative to prevent a civil war.

Beirut (AsiaNews) – AsiaNews has interviewed Gregorios III Laham, Catholic Melkite patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem for his views on the Syrian crisis and its possible developments for the country’s Christian communities.

The spectre of civil war is upon Syria. How can the country escape such a curse; how can it avoid a downward spiral into hell? Some believe the regime to be cynical, cruel and unchangeable and that it must be swept away. They do not believe it can change from within, by the countervailing power of a new military force, or economic and diplomatic pressures or sanctions. Others, outside and inside Syria, including some opposition and religious leaders, have not lost hope that change can come from within, this despite all the difficulties that a single party regime entails. As a man of peace, Patriarch Gregorios III will not give up. For months, he has called on Arab leaders to listen to their peoples.

His appeals have been non-stop, especially in relation to the nations that come under his patriarchal authority, namely Egypt and Syria. In the latter, which is also his homeland, he believes that change is still possible, especially if Europe intervenes. He does not expect much from the United States but Europe has a Mediterranean vocation and can do a lot to promote a compromise that might spare Syria the horrors of blind violence and civil war. The patriarch, who calls on all the parties in and outside of Syria to engage in dialogue, sees his country as the hostage of a power game between the United States and Russia.

The Greek Catholic patriarch received us at his residence in Raboué ahead of the meeting of the synod of his Church (6-8 February 2012), which must also fill three vacant Episcopal sees, two in Syria.

What does Gregorios III actually think about what is happening in his country? Is it a plot, as the regime claims, or a revolution?

Whilst I do not want to criticise Syria, I want to say that I do not like the term ‘plot’. For me it is a sign of weakness. It is like saying that we only have enemies around us. Can we speak of revolution? What is happening here is not limited to Syria. Although I do not think it is a real revolution, I think Arab countries have entered a period of revolution. Usually, a revolution is planned. I would describe what is happening as the consequence of pent-up frustrations. But politics got involved and everything was distorted.

Whilst not trying to defend blindly the regime, you appear surprised that an attempt is being made to drag the Church in Syria into the campaign to undermine the system. You blame Europe of pushing for violence rather than a political compromise . . .

I spoke to the Times a few days ago. I said, Don’t think about changing the regime but help the regime change. I believe this is the right way to see things. The Church is there for this and has done a lot.

Assad also wants change but is it realistic to ask the Ba‘ath party to change?

Of course! Don’t look at the past. The past is the past. Let us learn from the war in Lebanon. Fifteen years of war, why? It is a lesson for all of us. Let us look at things directly. We must look beyond Syria, at the big arsenals. Is it reasonable to issue a call to arms? The Church cannot do it anyway. Don’t ask us to play a role that isn’t ours! I believe that after 11 months of this experience [of widespread unrest], Syria is not the same. I think there will be fundamental changes. And I think President Bashar al-Assad wants them too.

Those involved in Syria’s crisis appear to be losing control.

The impression is that the situation is no longer in Syria’s hands. The impression is that a power game between the United States and Russia is underway, that we are in a phase of political subordination. Everything is centred on the Security Council and the Russian veto.

Do you fear for Syria’s Christians?

Syria has always had the lowest emigration rate in the Arab world. That is significant. It is due to fact that the regime is secular. That is the future. Of course, some have left out of fear but there is no exodus. All I can say is that Christians should not be afraid. As a Christian, I don’t feel I am a target of any group, not even Salafists. In Egypt, the situation is different. I cannot say there will never be any extremist act, but as Athenagoras said, ‘I have no fear. I’m disarmed.’

We must look at issue in social terms. We must speak as Syrian citizens, not as Christians. The problem is not religious even though some have included it in their analysis. That is false. I told European parliamentarians who were in Lebanon for a conference on Eastern Christians in Kaslik in November 2011, that they should not fear for Christians’ future but for that of the world. For us, it is not the time to ask for our rights, but to rediscover our mission in an Arab world that is being reborn. Preaching peace, legality and justice is our way to accompany events, both at home and abroad.

The Church is criticised for staying in a gray area, of not speaking out against serious human rights violations.

That is not true. I have called for an end to the violence in each statement. I am not a politician nor a security agent or a journalist. I cannot go into the details I don’t have the means or the will to do that. The Church cannot provide solutions but only give directions. It also has to go through unofficial channels.

You have complained about media “exaggerations” and disinformation”.

This is a modern war, and the media have become “despotic” and play a “destructive” role.

What about the number of dead reported in the media?

I don’t have an answer. I think both sides are spreading false news. I think Europe is doing the same. It is all politicised and in this sense, it is a plot. I think that the name of the game is, ‘Carthage must be destroyed’. I don’t understand how Europe, which rebuilt itself after a world war that killed 50 million people, could back one side against the other when it has the means to stop the war.

But is the Syrian president willing to acknowledge as legitimate interlocutors those who are fighting him? Didn’t the Arab League try to help him by sending observers to Syria? Didn’t it ask the Syrian leader to pull its tanks back from the cities? Hasn’t he clearly chosen to crack down? Does Gregorios III believe that Europe and Russia can convince him to show flexibility and openness?

Let me go back to what I said. I am not a politician. In politics, nothing is certain. When blood is spilled, it is always my brother’s blood. Besides, whilst people are worked up about Syria, they forget Israel and the Palestinian cause. I wrote to all European leaders on 2 April 2011, calling on them to do something to find a solution to the Palestinian conflict because once this conflict is solved, half of the problems in the Arab world will also be solved. Now, after 63 years of crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict still lacks a solution. Why is it that no country has recognised a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations? It is capitulation. It is unworthy.

© www.agensir.it - february 7th 2012
]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:49:38 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/gregorios-iii-laham-appeals-to-europe-for-compromise-in-syria.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/head-of-ugcc-takes-part-in-600th-anniversary-celebration-of-transfer-of-lviv-archdiocese-of-roman-catholic-church.html “Allow me from the entire Greek Catholic Church to sincerely congratulate our brethren, bishops, clergy, monastics of the Lviv archdiocese on the beginning of the jubilee year,” said Patriarch Sviatoslav, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, at the celebratory mass on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the transfer of capital of the Lviv archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church from Halych to Lviv, which was held on February 1, 2012, in the Latin Cathedral in Lviv.

The service was led by the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Archbishop Thomas Edward Gullickson. The mass was celebrated jointly by the head of the Roman Catholic Church of Ukraine, Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki and the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. The service was attended by bishops and clergymen of RCC from Ukraine and Poland and Auxiliary Bishop of the Lviv Metropolitanate of UGCC, Bishop Venedykt, representatives of the Orthodox Church, General Consul of the Polish Republic in Lviv and representatives of the authorities of the Lviv Oblast.

“Today we celebrated with a special event the life of the church in our land,” the head of the UGCC said in his welcoming remarks. “For all of us it is clear that this event has given new meaning and nature to the community of Lviv. History is the teacher of life, and I want to wish all of us to learn from this history how to learn to build the kingdom of God on earth, to build unity in our Ukrainian land.”

During the jubilee year, which the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine will complete on December 30, special attention will be given to the Divine Eucharist, since May 26, 2012, in Kyiv will began the first Ukrainian National Eucharistic Congress. The congress will end on June 3, 2012, in Lviv.

 

Fr. Pavlo Drozdiak
Press secretary of the Lviv Archeparchy

© http://www.ugcc.org.ua/?L=2 - february 1th 2012]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:28:41 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/head-of-ugcc-takes-part-in-600th-anniversary-celebration-of-transfer-of-lviv-archdiocese-of-roman-catholic-church.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/christians-in-prayer-for-release-of-chinese-bishops-and-priests.html Luis Sako

Kirkuk (AsiaNews) - On the occasion of Chinese New Year, celebrated on 23 January, which marks the beginning of the year of Dragon AsiaNews sent a letter to President Hu Jintao and Chinese Ambassador in Italy to demand the release of three bishops and six priests, whohave disappeared in police custody or are detained without trial in a country that today is the second largest world economy, is a member of the UN Security Council and has signed the Charter of Human Rights. Among the disappeared prelates are Msgr. James Su Zhimin and Msgr. Cosmas Shi Enxiang, to whom our agency has decided to dedicate the symbolic award "illustrious unknown" 2011 (see AsiaNews 30/12/2011 Two Chinese bishop martyrs recognised as ‘Illustrious Unknown’ for 2011"), for their decades long struggle for the truth, dignity and justice.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Lahore, Lawrence John Saldanha has enthusiastically joined the campaign launched by AsiaNews, stating that the struggle for their liberation is a "matter of religious freedom and basic human rights for free people" (see AsiaNews 31/01/2012 Pakistan bishop joins AsiaNews to demand the release of Chinese bishops and priests). Mgr. Savio Hon Tai-fai, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, has also recently intervened urging the Beijing government to free the bishops and priests, "because it would be good for China's international image."

Here is the intervention of Mgr. Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, who has given his full support to the AsiaNews initiative. Yesterday the bishop prayed with the whole community for "our brothers" priests and bishops, testifying the solidarity of the Iraqi Christian community, which is also a victim of violence and persecution.

I have learned with great pain, thanks to the AsiaNews campaign, of the arrest of some bishops and priests in China. It is an unthinkable fact that a government or a religious group should persecute a person because he or she has a different religion! A medieval concept that has no place in the 21st century! It is difficult to understand the nature of these initiatives against the human person. These acts are an offense to God the Creator and human beings in general. Freedom is an absolute value that everyone must respect, especially and particularly the freedom of conscience [in faith]. Freedom is strictly inherent to the human stature, because, otherwise, man would only be a robot without value.

We, the Iraqi Christians, know what it means to be persecuted, kidnapped, killed and - at the same time - what it feels like to feel helpless! We have a number of martyrs in which we find the strength to endure and persevere, to nourish our hope for change. Let us pray to the Lord that man can mature the Divine seed, in particular in the heart of Chinese leaders and officials so that they can release these innocent people, respecting the plan of God

Today [Monday, January 31] we prayed for them in the cathedral, for the Chinese bishops and priests arrested, on behalf of the Christian community of Kirkuk, I offer our sympathy and our sincere and fraternal closeness to the religious community in China. We follow the news about their fate with concern: their suffering must be a reminder for all Christians around the world and all people of good will and an opportunity for closeness and solidarity. Again, I appeal for everyone to work together to see human rights respected throughout the world. I extend thanks to AsiaNews and those who wish to support the campaign for the release of these our brothers!

I would like to tell them: courage! Despite everything, evil has no future; good is sometimes slow to be fulfilled, but in the end it always wins. The light will come, there will be change. We are praying for your deliverance, as the first Christian community in Jerusalem prayed for the release of Peter and John. Your suffering will not be in vain, I'm sure they will contribute to the understanding of the only possible meaning of life: love.

* Archbishop of Kirkuk


© www.asianews.it - february 1th 2012]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:40 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/christians-in-prayer-for-release-of-chinese-bishops-and-priests.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/the-new-challenges-for-the-churches.html The Christians of the different confessions living in Europe must engage in a common testimony to respond to the spiritual, demographic, political and economic challenges that the old continent is facing nowadays. This is one of the conclusions reached by the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (Kek) and the Council of European Bishops Conferences (Ccee), which took place in Geneva from 26th to 28th January. This year they also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment, back in 1972, of the Joint Committee, which is the supreme body for dialogue between Kek and Ccee, and which meets once a year. In his opening address, the president of Kek, the Metropolitan bishop Emmanuel of France, described the current economic crisis as one of the matters "that raise questions about the ability of Europe to bring about a sustainable policy for the European Union". The president of Ccee, cardinal Péter Erdõ, described ecumenical commitment as a need that must involve all Christians, rather than a few experts. One of the guest speakers, Alister McGrath, professor of theology at London’s King’s College, described the development of a lay or “atheist” position in Europe that sees religion as a private matter that should have no impact on the public sphere.
According to McGrath, religious institutions had been caught up in a general suspicion of institutions such as governments, banks and corporations “on account of their power, lack of transparency, vested interests, and financial recklessness”. While there is a widespread interest in “spirituality”, this is seen as a personal and individual matter, not necessarily being linked to institutional affiliation. Moreover, churches needed to respond to a widespread concern following the 9/11 attacks in 2001 that religion fosters extremism”. Yet, McGrath went on, the “new atheism” in some parts of Europe has at the same time generated immense public interest in the issue of God, he noted. Here churches have an opportunity to engage in the intellectual debate, and to show Christian faith as a force for good in society”. Professor Gian Carlo Blangiardo, lecturer in demographics at Milano-Bicocca University, focussed on the demographic challenges facing churches and society. He noted a significant fall in the birth rate in European countries coupled with an ageing population. Such developments are creating significant challenges for European welfare systems.
At the same time, demographic changes are leading to new patterns of family life. “Marriage rates had fallen almost everywhere during the past 40 years, Professor Blangiardo said, while an increasing number of children are born outside marriage. Against this background, he urged churches to find ways of reinforcing the family. The Rev. Cordelia Kopsch from Germany, a vice-president of CEC, said that in many places churches are facing decreasing membership and finances. She urged churches to “withstand the temptation to draw back from their presence in the public sphere because it is the credibility of their public witness which is at stake”. For Mgr Matthias Heinrich, the auxiliary Bishop of Berlin, “the Christians’ testimony in their working and personal environments as well as the presence of the Church in the public sphere "are important. “The church should use opportunities such as collaboration with the secular media, being present in the fields of education and culture, and finding ways to demonstrate Christian faith through diaconal activity”, Mgr Heinrich concluded. The Joint Committee expressed solidarity with Christians facing difficult situations in other parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East, and especially in Egypt and Syria, as well as expressing concern for victims of violence in Nigeria.

© www.agensir.it - jenuary 30th 2012]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:21:31 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/the-new-challenges-for-the-churches.html http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace-in-holy-land.html Rome (AsiaNews) - At least 2500 cities around the world will participate tomorrow in the IV International Day of Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land, an initiative launched by youth groups and Eucharistic adoration groups, involving over time the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Custody of the Holy Land.

The Day is promoted by various realities of young people: the National Association Papaboys (www.papaboys.it); the Apostolate "Youth For Life" (www.youthfl.org); the chapels of perpetual adoration throughout Italy and around the world; Eucharistic Gathering groups (www.adorazione.org), the Association for the promotion of extraordinary prayer for all the churches for reconciliation, unity and peace, beginning with Jerusalem.

Many of their representatives will be present tomorrow at the Angelus with the Pope in St Peter's Square. Others will commemorate the theme of the day during mass and take part in Eucharistic adoration.

Cardinal. Peter Turkson, President of the Vatican Council for Justice and Peace, has sent a message to mark the event to the young people who will pray for Christian unity and peace in the Holy Land. In it he stresses that "young people are and can be a resource for peace .... The period of your youth is the season of life where you look with enthusiasm to the great values that today, unfortunately, seem to be very weak: truth, freedom, justice, love, brotherhood ... I thank you for showing the world the active, beautiful and young face of the Church of Christ. "

Marking the Day, tomorrow morning beginning at 6am in Jerusalem, Mass will be celebrated at the altar of Calvary, in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos of the Holy Land, sent a greeting to the young people: "... I welcome the fourth International Day of Prayer for peace in the Holy Land. An event that enriches this month of shared reflection on the Gift we have just received, and invites us to overcome every division, to give thanks to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ). "

© www.asianews.it - jenuary 28th 2012
]]> webmaster@orientecristiano.com (Oriente Cristiano) Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:42:13 GMT http://www.orientecristiano.com/english-news/world-news-of-the-eastern-church/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace-in-holy-land.html