Our charism is martyrdom, says Chaldean patriarch
December 04, 2015
In a letter for the upcoming jubilee of mercy, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church said that “for us Iraqi Christians, martyrdom is the charism of our church.”
“As a minority, we are faced with difficulties and sacrifices, but we are conscious that we are Christ’s witnesses, and this can entail becoming martyrs,” said Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako. “We do not want to leave our homeland without a Christian presence. Iraq is our identity. We have a vocation; we must bear witness to the joy of the Gospel.”
He added:
In the circumstances in which we live, we have to be more attentive to our suffering brothers and sisters, to displaced people, migrants, the poor, orphans and widows. We need to stand by them, be present and close to them, accompany them with all we have in terms of power and money, and give them a sign of hope.
How beautiful it is to share what we have with others, with joy, as witnesses of our faith in Jesus Christ. How beautiful it is to show friendship, solidarity and support to our Muslim brothers and sisters. We must work with them to build a common life, in peace and in harmony. May our shared suffering becomes strength, so that the storm may pass!
According to Vatican Radio, a highlight of the jubilee year for the Chaldean Catholic Church will be a pilgrimage to Ur of the Chaldees, the place from which Abraham sojourned.
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Further information:
- Amid violence and persecution, mercy is the Christian way, says Patriarch Sako (AsiaNews.it)
- Iraq: ad Erbil, una tenda come Porta Santa del Giubileo (Vatican Radio)
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