Radio Vaticana,  2 luglio 2010

Il Papa al nuovo ambasciatore iracheno: la sofferenza condivisa di cristiani e musulmani può rafforzare la scelta della pace

Gli ultimi anni in Iraq sono stati segnati da tragici atti di violenza contrari agli insegnamenti dell'islam e del cristianesimo. Azioni compiute contro membri innocenti della popolazione, musulmani e cristiani. Questa sofferenza condivisa può stabilire “un legame profondo”, rafforzando la determinazione di musulmani e cristiani “a lavorare per la pace e la riconciliazione”. E’ quanto ha affermato stamani Benedetto XVI rivolgendosi al nuovo ambasciatore della Repubblica dell’Iraq, Habbeb Mohammed Radi Ali Al-Sadr, ricevuto in occasione della presentazione delle Lettere credenziali. Il servizio di Amedeo Lomonaco: 


Benedetto XVI ricorda che gli iracheni, in occasione delle elezioni legislative tenutesi lo scorso 7 marzo, hanno dato “un chiaro segnale al mondo” scegliendo “la strada della democrazia”. Attraverso questa via – aggiunge il Santo Padre – il popolo iracheno aspira a vivere in armonia “in una società, giusta, pluralista e inclusiva”. Nonostante i tentativi di intimidazione da parte di coloro che non condividono questa aspirazione, gli iracheni hanno mostrato “grande coraggio e determinazione” presentandosi in gran numero ai seggi elettorali. Adesso occorre comporre, prima possibile, il nuovo mosaico politico iracheno:

“It is to be hoped that the formation of a new government…
La speranza è che la formazione di un nuovo governo ora proceda rapidamente in modo che la volontà del popolo di un Iraq stabile e unificato possa essere realizzata”.

La Santa Sede, che ha sempre giudicato “eccellenti” le proprie relazioni diplomatiche con l’Iraq, continuerà ad assicurare il proprio aiuto, per quanto possibile, in modo che il Paese possa assumere il posto legittimo di nazione guida nella regione. Coloro che sono stati eletti – aggiunge il Papa - dovranno dimostrare “grande coraggio e determinazione” per rispondere alle grandi aspettative del popolo iracheno:

“The new government will need to give priority to…
Il nuovo governo dovrà dare priorità alle misure destinate a migliorare la sicurezza di tutti i settori della popolazione, in particolare le varie minoranze”.

Tra i diritti che devono essere pienamente rispettati, sono di fondamentale importanza quelli alla libertà religiosa e di culto in quanto permettono ai cittadini di vivere come persone create a immagine e somiglianza del Creatore. I cristiani iracheni – spiega poi il Papa condividendo le preoccupazioni espresse dal nuovo ambasciatore – devono rimanere nella loro “patria ancestrale”. Coloro che si sono sentiti costretti ad emigrare – aggiunge Benedetto XVI – possano presto considerare sicuro il loro ritorno in Iraq:

“Since the earliest days of the Church…
Fin dai primi giorni della Chiesa, i cristiani hanno abitato la terra di Abramo, terra che fa parte del comune patrimonio di giudaismo, cristianesimo e islam.

E’ fortemente auspicabile – sottolinea poi il Papa – che la società irachena in futuro sia contraddistinta dalla “coesistenza pacifica”, desiderio comune nelle aspirazioni di coloro che sono radicati nella fede di Abramo. Una società in cui i cristiani hanno un ruolo rilevante:

“Altough Christians form a small minority…
Sebbene i cristiani siano una minoranza della popolazione irachena, offrono un prezioso contributo alla sua ricostruzione e alla ripresa economica attraverso il loro apostolato in ambito educativo e sanitario; il loro impegno in progetti umanitari fornisce assistenza quanto mai necessaria nella costruzione della società”.

La storia ha mostrato che alcuni degli “incentivi più efficaci” per superare le divisioni provengono dagli esempi di uomini e donne che hanno perso la vita avendo scelto la strada coraggiosa della testimonianza non violenta ispirata da alti valori:

“The names of achibishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, father Raghhed Ganni…
I nomi dell'arcivescovo Paulos Faraj Rahho, di padre Ragheed Ganni e di molti altri continueranno a vivere come esempi luminosi di amore che li ha portati a dare la vita per gli altri”.

Benedetto XVI ricorda infine l’iniziativa della Santa Sede per il sostegno delle Chiese locali di tutta la regione, l’Assemblea Speciale del Sinodo dei Vescovi per il Medio Oriente, che si terrà dal 10 al 24 ottobre:

“This will provide a welcome opportunity to explore…
Costituirà un’opportunità per esplorare il ruolo e la testimonianza dei cristiani nelle terre della Bibbia e darà anche un impulso per l'importante compito del dialogo interreligioso, che tanto può contribuire al raggiungimento dell'obiettivo di coesistenza pacifica nel rispetto reciproco e stima tra i fedeli di diverse religioni”.

DISCORSO DEL PAPA

Your Excellency,

I am pleased to welcome you at the start of your mission and to accept the Letters accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq to the Holy See. I thank you for your kind words, and I ask you to convey to President Jalal Talabani my respectful greetings and the assurance of my prayers for the peace and well-being of all the citizens of your country.

On 7 March 2010, the people of Iraq gave a clear sign to the world that they wish to see an end to violence and that they have chosen the path of democracy, through which they aspire to live in harmony with one another within a just, pluralist and inclusive society. Despite attempts at intimidation on the part of those who do not share this vision, the people showed great courage and determination by presenting themselves at the polling stations in large numbers. It is to be hoped that the formation of a new Government will now proceed swiftly so that the will of the people for a more stable and unified Iraq may be accomplished. Those who have been elected to political office will need to show great courage and determination themselves, in order to fulfil the high expectations that have been placed in them. You may be assured that the Holy See, which has always valued its excellent diplomatic relations with your country, will continue to provide whatever assistance it can, so that Iraq may assume its rightful place as a leading nation in the region with much to contribute to the international community.

The new Government will need to give priority to measures designed to improve security for all sectors of the population, particularly the various minorities. You have spoken of the difficulties faced by Christians and I note your comments about the steps taken by the Government to afford them greater protection. The Holy See naturally shares the concern you have expressed that Iraqi Christians should remain in their ancestral homeland, and that those who have felt constrained to emigrate will soon consider it safe to return. Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians have been present in the land of Abraham, a land which is part of the common patrimony of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is greatly to be hoped that Iraqi society in the future will be marked by peaceful coexistence, as is in keeping with the aspirations of those who are rooted in the faith of Abraham. Although Christians form a small minority of Iraq’s population, they have a valuable contribution to make to its reconstruction and economic recovery through their educational and healthcare apostolates, while their engagement in humanitarian projects provides much-needed assistance in building up society. If they are to play their full part, however, Iraqi Christians need to know that it is safe for them to remain in or return to their homes, and they need assurances that their properties will be restored to them and their rights upheld.

Recent years have seen many tragic acts of violence committed against innocent members of the population, both Muslim and Christian, acts which as you have pointed out are contrary to the teachings of Islam as well as those of Christianity. This shared suffering can provide a deep bond, strengthening the determination of Muslims and Christians alike to work for peace and reconciliation. History has shown that some of the most powerful incentives to overcome division come from the example of those men and women who, having chosen the courageous path of non-violent witness to higher values, have lost their lives through cowardly acts of violence. Long after the present troubles have receded into the past, the names of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Father Ragheed Ganni and many more will live on as shining examples of the love that led them to lay down their lives for others. May their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of so many others like them, strengthen within the Iraqi people the moral determination that is necessary if political structures for greater justice and stability are to achieve their intended effect.

You have spoken of your Government’s commitment to respect human rights. Indeed, it is of the utmost importance for any healthy society that the human dignity of each of its citizens be respected both in law and in practice, in other words that the fundamental rights of all should be recognized, protected and promoted. Only thus can the common good be truly served, that is to say those social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to flourish, to attain their full stature, and to contribute to the good of others (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 164-170). Among the rights that must be fully respected if the common good is to be effectively promoted, the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of worship are paramount, since it is they that enable citizens to live in conformity with their transcendent dignity as persons made in the image of their divine Creator. I therefore hope and pray that these rights will not only be enshrined in legislation, but will come to permeate the very fabric of society – all Iraqis have a part to play in building a just, moral and peaceable environment.

You begin your term of office, Mr Ambassador, in the months leading up to a particular initiative of the Holy See for the support of the local Churches throughout the region, namely the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. This will provide a welcome opportunity to explore the role and the witness of Christians in the lands of the Bible, and will also give an impetus to the important task of inter-religious dialogue, which has so much to contribute to the goal of peaceful coexistence in mutual respect and esteem among the followers of different religions. It is my earnest hope that Iraq will emerge from the difficult experiences of the past decade as a model of tolerance and cooperation among Muslims, Christians and others in the service of those most in need.

Your Excellency, I pray that the diplomatic mission that you begin today will further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Holy See and your country. I assure you that the various departments of the Roman Curia are always ready to offer help and support in the fulfilment of your duties. With my sincere good wishes, I invoke upon you, your family, and all the people of the Republic of Iraq, abundant divine blessings.

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