“On a number of occasions I have spoken of our time as a time of war, a third
world war which is being fought piecemeal, one in which we daily witness savage
crimes, brutal massacres and senseless destruction. Sadly, today too we hear
the muffled and forgotten cry of so many of our defenceless brothers and
sisters who, on account of their faith in Christ or their ethnic origin, are
publicly and ruthlessly put to death – decapitated, crucified, burned alive –
or forced to leave their homeland.
Today too we are experiencing a sort of genocide created by general and
collective indifference, by the complicit silence of Cain, who cries out: “What
does it matter to me? Am I my brother’s keeper?” (cf. Gen 4:9; Homily in
Redipuglia , 13 September 2014).
In the past century our human family has lived through three massive and
unprecedented tragedies. The first, which is widely considered “the first
genocide of the twentieth century” (JOHN PAUL II and KAREKIN II, Common
Declaration , Etchmiadzin, 27 September 2001), struck your own Armenian people,
the first Christian nation, as well as Catholic and Orthodox Syrians,
Assyrians, Chaldeans and Greeks. Bishops and priests, religious, women and men,
the elderly and even defenceless children and the infirm were murdered. The
remaining two were perpetrated by Nazism and Stalinism. And more recently there
have been other mass killings, like those in Cambodia, Rwanda, Burundi and
Bosnia. It seems that humanity is incapable of putting a halt to the shedding
of innocent blood. It seems that the enthusiasm generated at the end of the
Second World War has dissipated and is now disappearing. It seems that the
human family has refused to learn from its mistakes caused by the law of
terror, so that today too there are those who attempt to eliminate others with
the help of a few and with the complicit silence of others who simply stand by.
We have not yet learned that “war is madness”, “senseless slaughter” (cf.
Homily in Redipuglia , 13 September 2014).
Dear Armenian Christians, today, with hearts filled with pain but at the same
time with great hope in the risen Lord, we recall the centenary of that tragic
event, that immense and senseless slaughter whose cruelty your forebears had to
endure. It is necessary, and indeed a duty, to honour their memory, for
whenever memory fades, it means that evil allows wounds to fester. Concealing
or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it!
I greet you with affection and I thank you for your witness.
With gratitude for his presence, I greet Mr Serž Sargsyan, the President of the
Republic of Armenia.
My cordial greeting goes also to my brother Patriarchs and Bishops: His
Holiness Kerekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, His Beatitude Nerses
Bedros XIX, Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics; and Catholicosates of
the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Patriarchate of the Armenian Catholic
Church.
In the firm certainty that evil never comes from God, who is infinitely good,
and standing firm in faith, let us profess that cruelty may never be considered
God’s work and, what is more, can find absolutely no justification in his Holy
Name. Let us continue this celebration by fixing our gaze on Jesus Christ,
risen from the dead, victor over death and evil!
”
[00575-EN.01] [Original text: Italian]…
Message given during the
Mass for the faithful of Armenian rite on the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine
Mercy Sunday), Basilica
of Saint Peter in the Vatican, April 12, 2015 Your Holiness and Beloved Brother in
Christ, Through the merciful will of God, We visit
Rome once again. We come with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr.
Serzh Sargisyan; with Our spiritual brother, Catholicos Aram I of the Great
House of Cilicia; and with the Bishops of the Armenian Church and the
representatives of the Armenian faithful worldwide. With the joy of the Holy
Resurrection and love of Christ, We bring Our fraternal greetings and best wishes to Your Holiness, and
bring Our prayerful participation in the Holy Mass celebrated by Your Holiness
in the Basilica of Saint Peter, in commemoration of the 100 th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. During this sacred service testifying to the friendship of Our
two sister Churches, to the contentment of Our people and to Us, one of our Armenian Church Fathers – Saint Gregory
of Narek – was declared by Your Holiness, per the designation of the Catholic
Church, a “Doctor of the Church”.In the
tenth century, St. Gregory of Narek – the teacher of prayers and bearer of the light
of the universe – offered incense to heaven through his supplication of
penitence and confession of all generations of mankind, by “Speaking with God
from the Depths of the Heart”.This holy
monk, with his “Living Book” revered by the Armenian people, showed the way of
salvation granted by the grace of Christ: “for the guilty and the just, for the
brazenly haughty and the falsely modest, for the good and the evil” ( Prayer
3 ), leading the faithful of all times to God. Our people who gave birth to Saint Gregory
of Narek, have throughout history endured countless horrors and faced
calamities for their Christian faith and national identity.One century ago, the brutal crime of genocide
was committed against our
people in Ottoman Turkey.With a
deliberate plan, with horrific atrocities, one and a half million Armenians
were slaughtered.Our ancient people
were uprooted from their cherished cradle of life – their historic homeland –
and scattered over different countries.Our centuries-old Christian legacy heritage was ruined, obliterated, and
seized. Nothing, however, no suffering, nor
persecutions, not even death caused our
people to waiver or stray from their holy faith.The greatness of the spiritual bravery of a
nation’s martyrdom which our
people displayed, is depicted before us today, once again proclaiming the
definition of our identity, which was decreed in the fifth century:
‘Christianity for us is not clothing we put on; it is the color of our skin.’ (Yeghishé the Historian). By the mercy of our compassionate God, our
people have straightened their broken backs; new life has sprouted under the
shelter of a reestablished statehood on an eastern portion of Armenia and in
the communities of the Diaspora.Our
people have created their path to ascent, having faced many deprivations and
difficulties.Today, our people live under an illegal blockade
implemented by Turkey and Azerbaijan; struggle for the right of our people to live free in Mountainous
Karabagh, and with faith in the triumph of justice, continue efforts for the
sake of our rights – for the universal recognition,
condemnation, and just reparation for the Armenian Genocide. At the time, humanity was unable to prevent
the genocide of the Armenians, to eliminate its consequences, and witnessed the
Holocaust and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and more.Today also, due to conflicts, wars, and
terrorism, people and nations are in pain and need; are persecuted and are
paying for their faith with their very lives.We believe that the universal recognition and condemnation of the
Armenian Genocide – as an effective example of the realization of justice and
establishment of rights – will benefit the creation of a safe and just
world.In this sense, the 100 th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is an invitation to the world to not
remain indifferent to human suffering and contemporary martyrdoms, and to
invest greater efforts to stop and prevent crimes against humanity.This is the fruit which shall grow from the
roots of martyrdom. During the celebration of this Holy Mass
on the occasion of the 100 th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
before the cherished memories of our
martyrs, We reflect with gratitude that Your Holiness’ predecessors of blessed
memory, Benedict XV, raised His voice of protest against the genocide, and
Saint John Paul II, in a joint communiqué with Us in 2001, recognized and
condemned the Armenian Genocide.In this
regard, the publication of historical documents by the Vatican Archives plays
an important role.Our people remember
with gratitude all those who not only spoke out and condemned the Armenian
Genocide, but also implemented humanitarian missions, by caring for orphans,
giving refuge to survivors, and helping them to overcome countless
difficulties. On the 100 th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, on April 23rd of this year, with the prayerful participation
of sister Churches – among them the representatives of Your Holiness – and high
ranking guests and thousands of our sons and daughters from throughout the
world, our innumerable victims who accepted the
crown of martyrdom ‘for faith and homeland’ will be canonized in the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin.We will appeal for
the intercession of our holy martyrs, now united with the heavenly host, for
divine peace to pour over the life of mankind, and for the tragedy of genocides
to no longer find a place in this world. Dear Brother in Christ, We share Your view that martyrdom does not
recognize the differences of denominations.Indeed, the martyrs unite us as children and servants of our one Lord
Jesus Christ, to gather together and implement unified efforts for the sake of
the establishment of love, justice, and peace in the world, and the promotion
of dialogue between civilizations and religions, as the Holy Bible exhorts us,
“And let us consider how to encourage one another to love and good works.” ( Hebrews
10:24 ). In this holy sanctuary of Saint Peter, let
the prayers and supplications that ascend from our hearts up to heaven, be heard by our heavenly Father, to bless and guide on true paths all
efforts that are made aimed at peace on earth and the secure and prosperous
life of humanity.We pray for Your
Holiness’ health and the vibrancy of the Roman Catholic Church, and appeal for
the protection and blessings of God for all of us, with the heartfelt words of
Saint Gregory of Narek: But
you, who are capable of everything, grant
me the spirit of salvation, the
sheltering right arm, the
helping hand, the
command of goodness, the
light of mercy, the
word of renewal, the
cause of pardon, and
help of the staff of life. For
you are the hope of refuge, Lord Jesus Christ, blessed
with the Father and Holy Spirit, forever
and ever. Amen. ( Prayer
59 )…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis presided over First Vespers of Divine Mercy Sunday on Saturday evening, during which he also delivered the homily. Below, please find the official English translation of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks.
**********************
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The greeting of the Risen Christ to his disciples on the evening of Easter, “Peace be with you!” ( Jn 20:19), continues to resound in us all. Peace, especially during this Easter season, remains the desire of so many people who suffer unprecedented violence of discrimination and death simply because they bear the name “Christian”. Our prayer is all the more intense and becomes a cry for help to the Father, who is rich in mercy, that he may sustain the faith of our many brothers and sisters who are in pain. At the same time, we ask for the grace of the conversion of our own hearts so as to move from indifference to compassion.
Saint Paul reminds us that we have been saved through the mystery of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He is the Reconciler, who is alive in our midst offering the way to reconciliation with God and with each other. The Apostle recalls that, notwithstanding the difficulties and the sufferings of life, the hope of salvation which Christ has sown in our hearts nonetheless continues to grow. The mercy of God is poured out upon us, making us just and giving us peace.
Many question in their hearts: why a Jubilee of Mercy today? Simply because the Church, in this time of great historical change, is called to offer more evident signs of God’s presence and closeness. This is not the time to be distracted; on the contrary, we need to be vigilant and to reawaken in ourselves the capacity to see what is essential. This is a time for the Church to rediscover the meaning of the mission entrusted to her by the Lord on the day of Easter: to be a sign and an instrument of the Father’s mercy (cf. Jn 20:21-23). For this reason, the Holy Year must keep alive the desire to know how to welcome the numerous signs of the tenderness which God offers to the whole world and, above all, to those who suffer, who are alone and abandoned, without hope of being pardoned or feeling the Father’s love. A Holy Year to experience strongly within ourselves the joy of having been found by Jesus, the Good Shepherd who has come in search of us because we were lost. A Jubilee to receive the warmth of his love when he bears us upon his shoulders and brings us back to the Father’s house. A year in which to be touched by the Lord Jesus and to be transformed by his mercy, so that we may become witnesses to mercy. Here, then, is the reason for the Jubilee: because this is the time for mercy. It is the favourable time to heal wounds, a time not to be weary of meeting all those who are waiting to see and to touch with their hands the signs of the closeness of God, a time to offer everyone the way of forgiveness and reconciliation.
May the Mother of God open our eyes, so that we may comprehend the task to which we have been called; and may she obtain for us the grace to experience this Jubilee of Mercy as faithful and fruitful witnesses of Christ.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday afternoon proceeded with the presentation of the official Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, set to begin December 8. The bull is the fundamental document for the Holy Year that outlines the overall spirit and intentions for the Jubilee, as well as the spiritual fruits that are hoped for. It was read by Fr Leonardo Sapienza, Regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, in a ceremony by the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis then moved into the basilica to preside Vespers for Divine Mercy Sunday. The 28-page bull, titled “ Misericordiae Vultus ” or “The Face of Mercy” opens with the declaration, “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith.” Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci:
In the document, Pope Francis says the Holy Year is “dedicated to living out in our daily lives the mercy” which God “constantly extends to all of us.” He explains the year will begin on December 8 to commemorate both the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, which called the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone. After the Holy Door of St Peter’s is open on December 8, the Holy Doors of the other papal basilicas will be opened in subsequent days. As well, as a sign of communion of the whole Church, the pope has requested that every diocese in the world open a similar “Door of Mercy” for the local celebrations of the Jubilee. The document develops three main themes. First , Pope Francis elaborates the theological understanding of God’s mercy, explaining the role of mercy in the life of people and of the Church, who are both the beneficiaries and the witnesses to God’s mercy in the world. “The mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality through which he reveals his love as that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child,” the Pope writes. “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life,” he continues. “The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.” He recalls that the motto of the Holy Year is “Merciful like the Father.” “Wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident,” he writes. “Wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy.” As a second theme , the Pope offers practical ways to live well the Holy Year: go on pilgrimage as an “impetus to conversion”; do not judge or condemn but forgive and give, avoiding gossip, envy and jealousy; have a heart open to the fringes of society and bring consolation, mercy and solidarity to people who live in precarious situations; take up the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy with joy; and observe the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative, which encourages prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation, in every diocese during Lent. He also addresses confessors, encouraging them to be “authentic signs of the Father’s mercy.” And, during Lent of the Holy Year, the Pope says he will send out “Missionaries of Mercy”–priests to whom he will grant “the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See.” They will be “living signs of the Father’s readiness to welcome those in search of his pardon,” he writes. As a third theme , the Pope issues particular calls for justice and conversion. He asks members of criminal organizations and those involved in corruption to change their lives and to embrace God’s mercy. He also notes that both Judaism and Islam “consider mercy to be one of God’s most important attributes.” And he expresses “trust that this Jubilee… will foster an encounter” with these and other religions that will “open us to even more fervent dialogue” toward greater knowledge and understanding, “eliminate every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect and drive out every form of violence and discrimination.” He also recalls the relationship between justice and mercy as “two dimensions of a single reality that…culminates in the fullness of love.” “God does not deny justice,” he continues. “He rather envelopes it and surpasses it with an even greater event (mercy) in which we experience love as the foundation of true justice.” The pope concludes the bull with an invocation to Mary, witness to God’s mercy and recalls saint who dedicated their lives to making God’s mercy known, namely the Polish St Faustina Kowalska. After excerpts from the document were read on Saturday evening, Pope Francis gave a copy of the bull to the cardinal archpriests of each of the four papal basilicas in Rome, as well as to cardinals from the different continents, representing the Church throughout the world. As with all Jubilees, a plenary indulgence is granted during the Holy Year of Mercy for those who fulfill all of the usual requirements. The Holy Year will conclude on November 20, 2016, on the feast of Christ the King. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Social justice, immigration and the disparity between the rich and the poor, were the main themes addressed by Pope Francis in his message to the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, on the occasion of the seventh Summit of the Americas. Panama hosted the two-day summit, which gathered the heads of 35 states in North, Central and Southern America under the summit’s theme of “Prosperity with Equity: the Challenge of Cooperation in the Americas.” The Pope’s message was delivered by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Friday. Click below to hear our report:
The Pope noted the “inequity, unjust distribution of wealth and resources” in the region, which “are a source of conflict and violence among people.” He criticized the assumption that it is necessary to sacrifice others and their dignity for the sake of progress. Thus achieving a well-being that is unjust in its very roots and is contrary to the dignity of persons. The Pope said no human being should be denied access to “basic goods,” such as land, work and a home, as well as “public services” such as health care, education and security. However, the well-being of all is still far from the reality, the Pope said. Inequalities continue to offend the dignity of persons. He urged the leaders to rise to the great challenge of a globalisation of solidarity and fraternity, rather than the current globalisation of discrimination and indifference. As long as an equitable distribution of wealth is not achieved, the evils of our society will not be resolved. The Pope noted the widening gap between the rich and the poor in emerging economies, despite overall economic progress. He said “trickle-down” economic theories have revealed themselves to be false. The poor, he said, cannot be expected to gather the crumbs that fall from the tables of the rich. He said the direct action of governments in favour of the disadvantaged, particularly of families, is necessary. The Pope also wanted to call the leaders’ attention “to the problem of immigration.” The immense disparity in economic opportunities in the various countries lead many people to feel obliged to leave their homeland. These people can then become easy prey to trafficking and slave labour, denying them rights and access to justice, he said. Where there is a lack of cooperation between Nation States, many people are left outside of the law and are then unable to assert their rights, falling either to abuse or joining in abusive behaviour. Situations also exist, where the law is not a sufficient safeguard to protect people’s basic rights and that the standard used is without mercy and compassion and does not respond to justice. He also referred to “scandalous and offensive differences, especially between indigenous populations located in rural areas or suburbs of large cities,” who have no defence against racism, xenophobia and intolerance. The Pope encouraged the leaders to work together towards the common good. “Efforts to build bridges, channels of communication and the building of relations, are never sought in vain,” he said. (from Vatican Radio)…