加尔丁礼宗主教指出四旬期为和平与伊拉克基督徒的未来"祈祷守斋"

作者 Mar Louis Raphael I Sako

伊拉克加尔丁礼宗主教发表圣灰礼仪文告，呼吁信众真正实现政治与社会和解。呼吁政府机构制定"健全的规范"进行交流、磋商。最后，呼吁积极致力于与"我们的穆斯林兄弟"之间建起"桥梁"

巴格达（亚洲新闻）-四旬期是"祈祷和守斋的重要时刻"从而推动我们的国家、中东地区实现更加美好的未来；结束伊拉克基督徒的流亡。伊拉克加尔丁礼巴比伦宗主教路易斯·拉斐尔一世萨科枢机在为二O一四年圣灰礼仪发表的文告中再次强调了和平、对话、国内各不同民族与宗教团体的融合。

在当前"血腥的冲突与暴力"横行之际，萨科枢机殷切希望守斋和祈祷能实现"真正的和解"从而"摆脱这种令人焦虑的局面"。萨科枢机邀请政府负责人和政府机构制定"健全的规范"进行交流、磋商；从"下界选举开始"掀起新的历史篇章。使"国家重新实现和平与安全"。最后，宗主教呼吁积极致力于与"我们的穆斯林兄弟"之间建起"桥梁"。

以下为萨科枢机圣灰礼仪文告全文：

Dear brothers and sisters,

Let us fast and pray for the future of our country and region. Let us fast and pray so that Christians do not emigrate from Iraq.

I take the opportunity of Lent to wish you a period of intense prayer, and true conversion, to experience charity in a concrete way.

Lent is a privileged time to participate in the Paschal Mystery and unite with Christ.

Against a backdrop of bloody conflicts and violence in many cities of our country and region, of the uprooting of many families from their cities and their homes, I would like you dedicate this period of intense fasting and prayer to a better future for our country and region (Syria and Lebanon), and to true reconciliation among all political leaders, of renewed trust among them, so that we may get out of this distressing situation.

Leaders must establish sound rules for interaction and exchange. They must turn a new page, starting with the next election, so that the country may find peace and security, for the good of all its citizens, so that Iraq may take its place at the level regional and international levels.

I ask you at the same time to fast and pray, so that Christians do not emigrate from Iraq.

Our Christian identity is deeply rooted in Iraq's history and geography, and it has been so for two thousand years.

Our roots and limpid sources are in our country; if we leave, we shall be deprived of our origins.

To persevere and hope is an expression of complete faithfulness to our faith and our homeland. You must not listen to those who would bewitch you, nor those who would scare you. They do not want what is good for you.

We are here, by the will of God, and, by His grace, we shall remain to build bridges and work with our Muslim brothers for the development of our country, so that it may become once again a land of riches and glory.

Thus, take advantage of Lent this year to spread a culture of love, forgiveness and peace, so that everyone may live in freedom and dignity.

Happy Lent to everyone!