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 t hat 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 internation al 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 ha ve 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 s erved, 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 Speci al 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.