Roma (AsiaNews) "Inspired in the Gospel values of pardon, mercy, justice and peace", Catholic religious men and women share the fate of their fellow Iraqis and make their contribution to the "process of normalisation" of the country. So writes Father Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, the president of the Union of Superiors General (an organisation that brings together the Superiors General of 226 congregations and religious orders representing a total of 200,000 members), in an open letter to churchmen and women working in Iraq.
"The fact that you are so close to the Iraqi people," says the letter which was released today, "sharing their same lot and hope, suffering and desires, is an encouragement for all of us and for the Church."
«Your presence is all the more necessary », Father Rodriguez adds. In his message, he recalls the words that the Bishop of Oran (Algeria) Pierre Claverie, O.P., wrote in 1996 on the occasion of the martyrdom of seven Trappist monks in Algeria, just forty days before being assassinated himself. "We are there because of the crucified Messiah. For nothing more and for no one else. We have no interests to safeguard, nor influence to preserve. Nor are we motivated by any masochistic perversion or suicide. We hold no power." And "is it not perhaps essential for a Christian to be there, in the places of suffering, of abandon?"
"You are not a power," Father Rodriguez adds; "nor are you a powerful or prestigious organisation; you do not have interests to safeguard, nor influence to preserve...; for you it is also a question of love, only love, of a passion which, like that of Jesus, enables you to create spaces for life in abundance for the small group of Christians for whom your presence is indispensable and comforting, but also for all Iraqis, regardless of ethnic and religious differences, whom you serve with generous dedication."
"At this important historic time in which you live, united in your efforts with members of other religions, we are certain that you will contribute effectively to the current process of normalisation for your country, inspired in the Gospel values of pardon, mercy, justice and peace."
