Mons. Lingua (Nunzio Apostolico in Iraq): “Prevalga la riconciliazione tra i diversi gruppi”
By Baghdadhope*
Baghdadhope pubblica il testo del discorso pronunciato da Mons. Giorgio Lingua, Nunzio Apostolico in Giordania ed Iraq, nel corso del ricevimento offerto dalla Nunziatura Apostolica della capitale irachena in occasione del VII anniversario dell’elezione di Papa Benedetto XVI.
Si tratta, come ha sottolineato Mons. Lingua, del primo ricevimento di questo genere dal 1995 quando fu sospeso, prima a causa dell’embargo e poi per ragioni di sicurezza.
Speech of the Apostolic Nuncio
April 19, 2012
First of all I would like to extend my cordial welcome to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the representatives of the Government, Parliament, the members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of Churches and all the friends of the Apostolic Nunciature.
We meet here tonight to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI’s election, who a few days ago also celebrated his 85th birthday. Seven years have already passed since 19 April 2005 when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was chosen as Bishop of Rome becoming the 265th Successor of Peter.
The diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Iraq were officially formalized in 1966, even though the presence of the Holy See in this country goes back to the seventeenth century. Since then, this presence was uninterrupted, first through Apostolic Delegates, at consular level, and then through Apostolic Nuncios, with the rank of Ambassadors, even in the most difficult moments of the political life of Iraq. With some pride I can recall that the papal representatives have never left this country even during the two recent Gulf Wars.
Receiving the Letters of Credence of the Ambassador of Iraq, July 2, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said: “You may be assured that the Holy See, which has always valued its excellent diplomatic relations with your country, will continue to provide whatever assistance it can, so that Iraq may assume its rightful place as a leading nation in the region with much to contribute to the international community “. In this regard I would like to congratulate the Iraqi authorities on the outcome of the recent Arab League Summit, a sign of normalization of the international role that Iraq is recovering. Also this reception, the first organized after about 18 years, which was suspended in solidarity with people affected by the embargo and then for security reasons, it is a small though significant indication of it.
The excellent relations between the Holy See and Iraq are reflected in the meetings of the highest Iraqi authorities with the Holy Father Benedict XVI. I can only express the profound hope that one day the Pope will reciprocate these visits, and put his foot on this land of Abraham a land which is part of the common patrimony of the three monotheistic religions.
” Since the earliest days of the Church – still remembered the Holy Father in the above-mentioned address to the Iraqi Ambassador – Christians have been present in the land of Abraham (…). It is greatly to be hoped that Iraqi society in the future will be marked by peaceful coexistence, as is in keeping with the aspirations of those who are rooted in the faith of Abraham. Although Christians form a small minority of Iraq’s population, they have a valuable contribution to make to its reconstruction and economic recovery through their educational and healthcare apostolates, while their engagement in humanitarian projects provides much-needed assistance in building up society “.
The Holy See is working for the Iraqi Christians to remain in their ancestral homeland and hopes that those who were forced to emigrate will soon find a safe place to return and resume their activities.
While thanking the Iraqi authorities for all the efforts and the significant progress made in ensuring security in the country, despite sporadic terrorist attacks like those of today, which must be condemned with force and determination and for which I wish to express my deep sorrow and sincere condolences, I hope that the spirit of reconciliation among all the political, religious and ethnic groups will prevail so that the wonderful mosaic of the people which constitute this population will find the path to peace and prosperity for the entire Iraqi people.
Traduzione ed adattamento di Baghdadhope
Discorso del Nunzio Apostolico
19 Aprile 2012
Per prima cosa vorrei estendere il mio cordiale benvenuto al Ministro degli affari esteri, ai rappresentanti del Governo e del Parlamento, ai membri del Corpo Diplomatico, ai rappresentanti delle Chiese ed a tutti gli amici della Nunziatura Apostolica.
A questo proposito vorrei congratularmi con le autorità irachene per i risultati del recente vertice della Lega Araba, un segno di normalizzazione del ruolo internazionale che l’Iraq sta riottenendo. Un ruolo internazionale provato anche da questo incontro, il primo organizzato dopo circa 18 anni, quando fu sospeso in solidarietà con le persone colpite dall’embargo e poi per motivi di sicurezza.
” Sin dai primi tempi della Chiesa – ha ricordato il Santo Padre nel già citato discorso all’ Ambasciatore iracheno – i cristiani sono stati presenti nella terra di Abramo (…) E’ vivamente da auspicare che la società irachena in futuro sia caratterizzata dalla coesistenza pacifica, in linea quindi con le aspirazioni di coloro che hanno le proprie radici nella fede di Abramo. Sebbene i cristiani costituiscano una piccola minoranza della popolazione irachena possono dare un prezioso contributo alla ricostruzione del paese ed alla sua ripresa economica attraverso il loro apostolato nei campi educativo e sanitario, mentre il loro impegno in progetti umanitari fornisce la tanto necessaria assistenza nella costruzione della società ».La Santa Sede sta operando perché i cristiani iracheni rimangano nella loro patria ancestrale e si augura che coloro che sono stati costretti ad emigrare possano presto trovare un posto sicuro dove tornare e riprendere le proprie attività.
