Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV med today with the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (CELRA), in Rome for their annual gathering. Church leaders from the Middle East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula gathered in Rome for their annual meeting from 31 August to 3 September.
Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, and Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Vicar of Southern Arabia, were present along with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and CELRA chairman Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
In his address, the pontiff told the prelates not to fear "smallness” for “the fruitfulness of the Church is not measured in numbers". He added that they are not “required to solve all the problems of your lands,” but “to be faithful to the Gospel and to the people entrusted to you” in emergencies and difficulties, even to the point of martyrdom. Above all, they should not lose sight that “the essence of the Church’s mission” is “the proclamation of the Gospel,” and “making Christ present”.
Greeting them with the words of the Apostle Paul, "Grace … and peace from God," Leo urged them not to seek "success or recognition" but to focus on the "fidelity" of a mission that is also called to martyrdom, to serve migrants characterised by the richness of different rites.
The annual meeting offers bishops the opportunity to share the life and challenges of their Churches, reflect together on pastoral priorities, and strengthen communion among communities living in diverse social, cultural, and religious contexts.
In receiving them, Pope Leo reminded them that the conference embraces "Churches present in a vast and complex reality, operating in contexts often marked by political, social, and religious tensions.”
These lands, he noted, have known the pain of bloodshed and martyrdom, citing the example of the Missionaries of Charity "killed in Yemen whilst serving the most vulnerable" and those who “have given their lives" in Iraq or Syria. "Their fidelity to the Gospel remains a light for your communities and a call not to give in to either fear or resignation.”
Leo also touched the topic of migration, which has resulted in the shrinking of many native communities, in Iraq, Syria, and even the Holy Land, due to war and sectarian violence.
"Always be pastors," he urged the prelates, "close to your people, capable of sharing in their sufferings, of listening, supporting and consoling, so that through your presence, God’s closeness can be made visible.”
He cautioned them against looking at numbers, telling them not to fear "smallness. The fruitfulness of the Church is not measured in numbers, structures, or resources, but in fidelity to the Gospel.”
A small community,” he added, “if rooted in Christ, can be a valuable presence: not because it seeks power, but because it serves; not because it imposes itself, but because it bears witness; not because it responds to violence with more violence, but because it counters force with charity.”
By experiencing the mission in societies and peoples marked by “conflict and division,” the pontiff expressed hope that their “communities [may] show that it is possible to live, serve, and hope together.”
In this sense, parishes, schools, hospitals, and Christian charities can embody the Gospel by “welcoming, listening to and supporting those in need. Support, in particular, the religious congregations that continue to generously stand by the poor and the most vulnerable.”
Amid emergencies, Leo stressed that “the essence of the Church’s mission” is “the proclamation of the Gospel, prayer, the Sacraments and Christian formation. A Church capable of serving must be first and foremost a Church who prays, listens to the Word and lives the Sacraments,” taking “particular care of families and young people.”
Continuing his address, the pontiff touched upon the topic of migrants, so relevant in the Gulf countries, especially at a time of war and economic crisis.
“Many,” he said, “live far from their loved ones and experience loneliness and precariousness. May your communities be homes where nobody feels like a stranger. Defend the dignity of every person and recognize in every migrant a brother and a sister”.
In countries of immigration, in addition to the task of bearing witness to the Gospel and to brotherhood, there is also the need to preserve and strengthen "the communion between the Churches and the different rites.
“The variety of Christian traditions is a treasure to be lived out in unity.” Thus, “May this communion give rise to sincere dialogue with other Christian communities, with Muslims and with the various religious traditions.”
Importantly, “Dialogue does not mean renouncing one’s own identity, but living it out without fear of encounter. Where war has sown mistrust, every gesture of esteem, collaboration and respect can become a step towards reconciliation and peace.”
Finally, Leo noted that the mission in Arab regions does not consist "simply in preserving a Christian presence, but of making Christ present always: proclaiming Him in the Word, celebrating Him in the Sacraments, encountering Him in prayer and recognizing Him in the poor, the suffering, migrants and in every person placed under your care.”
"You are not required," he explained, "to solve all the problems of your lands, but to be faithful to the Gospel and to the people entrusted to you”. To this, always be "a voice of truth, justice, and peace" as well as "artisans of reconciliation, and witnesses to mercy.”
Urging them to continue "your journey with confidence,” the pontiff said: “You are not alone.”
“Upon you and upon all the faithful entrusted to your care, I wholeheartedly invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings. May He preserve you in the faith, make you steadfast in hope and generous in charity, and grant your communities and all the peoples of your lands the precious gift of peace.”(Photo Vatican Media)
