Speech of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III
during the 55th. ICMC Council Meeting
Rome, 17-20 November 2010
The Synod for the Middle East
Inspirational Conclusions on Migration
Dear Friends!
The Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the
Middle East was, in my opinion, the greatest event after the Second
Vatican Council’s fine words about the Eastern Churches.
During this Synod the whole floor was given to the
Eastern Catholic Churches. The Eastern Catholic Patriarchs, and the Bishops who
were members of their patriarchal Synods, were there in force. They all spoke, making
contributions on various topics before the Synod. They expressed their views
through the media who were very keen to ask them about the Christian East, so
little known, so complex in its component parts, so rich in rites and traditions
and so important for the future of the Middle East, for Christians, Jews and
Muslims living together, and for Peace, which is the great good for all the
inhabitants of this Holy Land, of Arab countries, where sixty per cent are
young people who are best placed to become victims of growing fundamentalism, and
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This Synod for the Middle East, carefully
considered the problem of Migrants, the object and subject of our congress.
I have been asked to set out the deliberations, proposals
and conclusions of this Assembly on the subject of migrants. Indeed many of the
speeches had to do with the problem of migrants in its different aspects.
Here are the most significant passages of the final
proposals on the topic of migrants:
Propositio 10
Consolidating the presence of Christians
Our Churches must create an office or a commission entrusted with the study of
the phenomenon of migration and of the factors behind it so as to find ways of
stopping it. They are to do all that is possible to boost the presence of
Christians in their countries, and to do this especially through development
projects to limit the phenomenon of migration.
Propositio 11
Pastoral practice for emigration
The presence of numerous Eastern Christians in all the continents challenges
the Church to devise an appropriate pastoral programme in light of emigration:
1. the Eastern bishops are to visit the seminaries of the Middle East to
present the situation and the needs of their eparchies;
2. the formation of seminarians with a missionary spirit, open to different
cultures;
3. the preparation and accompaniment of priests missioned outside the
patriarchal territory;
4. the promotion of vocations work in the communities outside of the
patriarchal territory; and
5. the sending of priests and the establishment of their own eparchies wherever
the pastoral needs require them according to the canonical norms.
Propositio 12
Emigration and Solidarity
1. To awaken and reinforce a sense of solidarity and
of sharing with the country of origin, by contributing to pastoral projects and
in cultural, educational, economic and social development;
2. to educate Christians who have emigrated to remain faithful to the tradition
of their origins;
3. to strengthen bonds of communion between emigrants
and the Churches in their native countries.
Propositio 13
Emigration – Formation
We urge Churches in the countries which receive immigrants to be familiar with
and to respect Eastern theology, traditions and patrimonies, and that this be
reflected in their norms, and sacramental and administrative practices. This
will help collaboration with Eastern Churches present in those countries, and
in the formation and pastoral care of their faithful.
Propositio 14
Immigration
We are seriously concerned about the condition of immigrant workers in the
Middle East, both Christians and non-Christians, especially women. Many of them
find themselves in situations that are difficult or that even undermine their
dignity.
We call on patriarchal synods and episcopal conferences, Catholic charitable
institutions, especially Caritas, political leaders, and all people of good
will, to do everything in their power to ensure the respect of immigrants’
fundamental rights as recognised by international law, regardless of the
nationality or religion of the immigrants in question, and to offer them legal
and human assistance. Our Churches should seek to provide the spiritual help
they need as a sign of Christian hospitality and of ecclesial communion.
Propositio 15
Welcoming Churches
To better welcome and guide immigrants to the Middle East, the Churches from
which they come are asked to maintain regular contact with the Churches which
welcome them by assisting them to set up the structures they need, i.e.
parishes, schools, meeting places, etc.
Furthermore, I am happy to inform you briefly about
the reception given to migrants, especially Iraqi migrants, into Syria, and to
Damascus itself. There are nearly one and a half million Iraqi refugees in
Syria, of whom a great number are in Damascus. Muslims make it their duty, as a
matter of faith, to receive Muslim refugees. Christians are very well received
by all, especially by us Greek Catholics!
Our rooms designated for catechism and youth
activities are open for their activities. I have brought with me a C.D. of a
celebration of Holy Communion with Greek Catholic and Iraqi children together. Iraqis attend all our feasts, liturgical
celebrations, processions… Iraqi children are admitted free of charge into
state schools by the Syrian government. Caritas Syria and various welfare associations
provide, as far as possible, good services to Iraqis and other, especially
Sudanese, migrants. Similarly Caritas Lebanon and Jordan are very committed to
serving migrants, especially from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
In Lebanon the Alef Bet Centre, an initiative of
the Lazarist Fathers in Beirut, was recently (26 October 2010) inaugurated by
the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, H.E. Mgr Gabriele Caccia. It is an initiative of
Caritas Lebanon, Caritas Austria and the German Foundation Sternstunden.
Hundreds of migrant families are cared for by this
centre. Fifty children are in a private school. They are children from Sri
Lanka, India, Sudan and Bangladesh.
(Alef Bet are the first two
letters of the Phoenician, Arab, Aramean, Hebrew and Syriac alphabets…)
I should also like to note the speech of H.E. Mgr
Antonio-Maria Vegliò, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care
of Migrants and Itinerant People, who presented to the Roman press at the
Vatican the sixth message of Pope Benedict XVI on this theme. There follows the
complete text of his speech to be found on the official Vatican website: (http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_24_speciale-medio-oriente-2010/02_inglese/b21_02.html
)
In recent
decades, Christians, and especially young people in many countries of the
Middle East, have left their homeland in droves. It is under the eyes of all,
as a result, that Christians in the Middle East are in great difficulty, they
are few in number and are often powerless and resigned.
In this important meeting, feelings of spiritual closeness, support and
encouragement for Christians in the Middle East spontaneously emerge, also
recalling the ultimate sacrifice that Mons Faraj Raho, Mons Luigi Padovese, Don
Andrea Santoro and other priests and many men and women, well-known and admired
by Christian communities, offered to the
world .
There are also positive aspects in the phenomenon of migration as it had
increased the number of Catholics in the region who pour into to certain areas
of the Middle East, so much so that there are many Christian communities
composed almost exclusively of immigrants, always more in greater contact with
people of other religions, especially Muslims.
In this scenario, it is decisive to urge for a political commitment at a global
level that addresses the causes of this haemorrhaging of men and women that
empties the Churches of the Middle East and the places where Christianity was
born and developed. It would be terrible if the Holy Land and its neighbours,
the cradle of Christianity and home of the Prince of Peace, were to become a
museum of stone, a beloved memory of past times! Equally indispensable and is a
cultural commitment, that is, formation with respect to the centrality and
dignity of every human person, the opposition to xenophobia, sometimes
encouraged by the media, and support in integration that safeguards people’s
identity..
While I view the emerging social problems with concern, I also notice the risk
that the individual Eastern Catholic Churches should fold back on themselves.
Christians Communities of the Middle East should be encouraged towards a better
mutual understanding, which helps them to respect and appreciate each other
more, to cooperate and work together in order to carry more weight.
This meeting will certainly show solidarity and support for Christians in the
Middle East, so that they will feel encouraged to remain in their countries, in
order to carry out their mission as “leaven”, through the life and witness of
communion and, where possible, also with the explicit proclamation of Jesus
Christ the only Lord and Saviour.
Finally, in confidence: I am very happy with this Synod, which will help you
Eastern Churches get to know each other better along with the Latin Church. And
if know each other, we will love and help each other more.
H. Exc. Mgr Antonio Maria VEGLIÒ
Titular Archbishop of Eclano
President of the Pontifical Council for the
Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People
VATICAN CITY
I should like to end my presentation with two passages
from the Report after the Discussion of H.B. Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of Coptic Catholics on the
matter of migrants and immigrants:
4. EmigrationOne of the major challenges
threatening the presence of Christians in some countries in the Middle East is
emigration. This topic is a common concern in all Churches, and should be
considered in an ecumenical partnership. The main causes of this troubling
phenomenon are economic and political situations, the rise of fundamentalism,
and the restriction of freedoms and equality, exacerbated strongly by the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Iraq. Youth, the educated and
affluent people are more likely to leave, depriving the Church and the country
of its most valuable resources. Emigration has become a general phenomenon that
affects Christians and Muslims. It deprives our Churches and our countries of
valuable and moderate elements. The motives that cause people, especially
Christians, to leave the region would constitute a good subject of sincere and
frank dialogue with Muslims.
Emigration is a natural right left to the free choice of
individuals and families, especially those located in harsh conditions. But the
Church has the duty to encourage her faithful to remain as witnesses, apostles
and builders of peace and welfare of their countries. Pastors should help the
faithful become more aware of their vocation, their mission and their
historical role in their countries, as bearers of Christ’s message to their
country, even amidst difficulties and persecution. Their absence would
negatively affect the future. It is with deep faith that Christians find the
motivation to live courageously and joyfully their Christianity in their
country. It is important to avoid defeatist talk, or encourage emigration as a
preferred option. On the other hand, we must foster the conditions that
encourage the decision to stay. It is up to politicians to consolidate peace,
democracy and development, to foster a climate of stability and confidence.
Christians, along with all people of good will, are called to engage positively
in achieving this goal. Greater awareness on the part of international bodies of the duty to
contribute to the development of our countries would help a great deal in this
regard.Many speakers pointed out the very positive
relationship between Eastern Catholic communities in the Diaspora and the local
Latin Church of the host countries, including the United States, Oceania,
Australia and many European countries. The Christians arriving from the Middle
East appeal to the hospitality of their brothers and sisters in the West, and
awaken their Christian consciences. Our Churches are very grateful to the
Churches of the host countries for the valuable assistance they provide to our
emigrant faithful. The synod fathers drew attention to the necessity and
importance of communicating with the Christians of Europe the causes that make
millions of Christians leave the Middle East. An Eastern Patriarchal Vicar
could be appointed to coordinate the pastoral care for faithful of his Church
in the Diaspora.
The host Churches should provide immigrants with their
structures: parishes, schools, meeting centres, and others. This requires
structures of reception, social and cultural tutoring and guidance. Most of the
welcoming dioceses have special pastoral programmes for immigrants, with a
special section for Eastern communities. With gratitude, we greatly appreciate
their laudable concern and solicitude for solidarity. Western Christians are to
express effectively their support for Christians in the Middle East, by helping
and supporting their Eastern brothers.
The host Churches in their laws and sacramental practices
are also invited to know and respect eastern theology, traditions and heritage.
One of the roles of the host Churches is also to accompany migrants,
overwhelmed by the painful memory of humiliating and offensive actions through
a process of forgiveness. These Churches will act to ensure that their countries
take appropriate measures to guarantee the respect, dignity and rights of the
human person and of the family, which must remain united, and receive what is
necessary to lead a dignified life, acceptable to God.
The Churches of North Africa want to collaborate with the
Churches of the Middle East, and also seek the presence of Arab priests to
strengthen their dialogue with Muslims. The Latin Catholic Church in the
Maghreb is living in a pluralist and ecumenically satisfying context. Latin
Churches in the Gulf have explained the complicated special situation in which
they are located, and which makes them adopt structures and a pastoral style
that appear restrictive. They confirm that they are doing everything possible to
meet the vast needs of migrants, within the restrictive limits of civil and
religious possibilities.
The synod fathers have emphasized the need and frequency
of extending the jurisdiction of the Patriarchs to the faithful of their rite
outside the territory of the Patriarchal Church sui iuris. They are eager to
move from the territorial concept to the personal concept. Limiting the
jurisdiction of the Patriarch to the faithful of his Church sui iuris is
logical on the personal level and not a territorial one. How can one be “Father
and Head” of a people without a head? This extension of jurisdiction
arises in the context of an adaptation of pastoral service to the faithful in
the eastern Diaspora. Communion is a personal relationship, animated by the
Holy Spirit. This perspective is very important for ecumenical dialogue and the progress
towards perfect unity.
Emigration is also a major support for the countries and
the Churches. The Church of the original country must find ways to maintain
close ties with her emigrated faithful and to ensure their spiritual
assistance. It is indispensable to provide the faithful of the Eastern
Churches, in Latin territories, with the Liturgy in their own rite. The selling
of property in the homeland is highly regrettable. The retention or acquisition
of land encourages return. The land affirms and reinforces identity and
belonging, and this requires a rootedness in the land. Communities in the
Diaspora have a role to encourage and consolidate the Christian presence in the
East, to strengthen their witness and to support their cause for the common
good of the country. Appropriate pastoral care should take care of internal
emigration in each country.
5. Christian immigration to the Middle East from the World Over
The Middle Eastern countries
are experiencing a new phenomenon: receiving many African and Asian migrant
workers, most of whom are women. They find themselves in an atmosphere of
Muslim predominance, and sometimes with little opportunity for religious
practice. Many feel abandoned, faced with abuse and mistreatment, in situations
of injustice, and violation of laws and international conventions. Some
immigrants change their names to be more accepted and supported.
Our Churches must make a greater effort to help them, by welcoming, by support,
and by human, religious and social assistance. In each of our countries, our
Catholic Churches should establish a special pastoral care proper for them in a
coordinated effort among the bishops, religious congregations, and social and
charitable organizations. This also requires cooperation between the Catholic
authorities of the place, and the hierarchy of the Churches of origin.
(Patriarch Antonios Naguib Ref. http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_24_speciale-medio-oriente-2010/02_inglese/b17_02.html
)
And finally, I would like to
conclude with some passages from the Nuntius of the Synod:
Message to the People of God:
10. We
appreciate the efforts which have been expended for the common good and the
service to our societies. You are in our prayers and we ask God to guide your
steps. We address you regarding the importance of equality among all citizens.
Christians are original and authentic citizens who are loyal to their
fatherland and assume their duties towards their country. It is natural that
they should enjoy all the rights of citizenship, freedom of conscience, freedom
of worship and freedom in education, teaching and the use of the mass media.
We appeal to you to redouble your efforts to establish a just and lasting peace
throughout the region and to stop the arms race, which will lead to security
and economic prosperity and stop the haemorrhage of emigration which empties
our countries of its vital forces. Peace is a precious gift entrusted by God to
human family, whose members are to be “peacemakers who will be called children
of God.” (Mt 5:9)
11. The citizens of
the countries of the Middle East call upon the international community,
particularly the United Nations conscientiously to work to find a peaceful,
just and definitive solution in the region, through the application of the
Security Council’s resolutions and taking the necessary legal steps to put an
end to the occupation of the different Arab territories.
The Palestinian people will thus have an independent and sovereign homeland
where they can live with dignity and security. The State of Israel will be able
to enjoy peace and security within their internationally recognized borders.
The Holy City of Jerusalem will be able to acquire its proper status, which
respects its particular character, its holiness and the religious patrimony of
the three religions: Jewish, Christian and Muslim. We hope that the
two-State-solution might become a reality and not a dream only.
Iraq will be able to put an end to the consequences of its deadly war and
re-establish a secure way of life which will protect all its citizens with all
their social structures, both religious and national.
Lebanon will be able to enjoy sovereignty over its entire territory, strengthen
its national unity and carry on in its vocation to be the model of coexistence
between Christians and Muslims, of dialogue between different cultures and
religions, and of the promotion of basic public freedoms.
We condemn violence and terrorism from wherever it may proceed as well as all
religious extremism. We condemn all forms of racism, anti-Semitism,
anti-Christianism and Islamophobia and we call upon the religions to assume
their responsibility to promote dialogue between cultures and civilisations in
our region and in the entire world.
(Ref. http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=433320
)
Conclusion:
I hope I have answered the question. It is very
important to treat the problem of migrants, refugees and deported folk with
care… But it is even more important to deal with and analyse the reasons that underlie
the problem of refugees and expatriates caused by wars and conflicts. This was
a theme that was raised a great deal during the Synod for the Middle East.
Gregorios III
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
of Alexandria and of Jerusalem