Parolin: True message of
Christmas is peace, goodness for all
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| Cardinal Parolin arrives in Erbil in northern Iraq. |
Continuing his visit to Iraq during the Christmas season,
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass in the
Chaldean Cathedral of St Joseph in Ankawa
By Christopher Wells
Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrated Mass in the Cathedral of
Saint Joseph in Erbil, Iraq, on Thursday. The Holy See’s Cardinal Secretary of
State is visiting Iraq during the Christmas season, with a journey that began
in Baghdad on Christmas Eve.
After concelebrating the Vigil Mass with Chaldean Partiarch
Louis Raphaël I Sako, Cardinal Parolin spent Christmas Day in the Iraqi
capital, before travelling to Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan on Wednesday. On
Thursday, the Secretary of State celebrated Mass in the Chaldean cathedral in
Erbil, with Archbishop Bashar Warda, Bishop Basel Salim Yaldo, and members of
the faithful, along with local authorities and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his homily, Cardinal Parolin recognized the “great
generosity” displayed by the local community in welcoming Christian refugees,
especially from Mosul and the Plain of Nineveh. “Hatred and intolerance,” he
said, “were countered by solidarity and closeness” on the part of all those who
supported suffering Christians and other Iraqis.
Celebrating the
mystery of Christ's love
He noted that, during the Christmas season, “we celebrate
the mystery of Christ’s love, which led Him become one of us in the desire to
make us one with Himself.” This can be seen in particular, he said, in Christ’s
identification with his disciples, especially those who are persecuted.
A Church of martyrs
“You are a Church of martyrs,” Cardinal Parolin said to the
local community. “The blood of your martyrs and the witness of faith given by
so many of your brothers and sisters represent a treasure for the Church and a
seed of new vitality.”
Living the faith with
joy and gratitude
Cardinal Parolin encouraged them to “keep living your faith
with joy and gratitude.” And echoing Pope Francis, he urged them “not to let
yourselves be robbed of hope.”
“The true message of Christmas is that of peace and goodness
for all, a message of love for our neighbour,” the Cardinal said in conclusion.
“In this blessed season, I wish for you, and for all of Iraq, the gifts of
unity, reconciliation and concord.”
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