Latest news with #JubileeoftheEasternChurches
Herald Malaysia
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinal Parolin: We hope talks in Istanbul open paths to peace
On the sidelines of an event on Ukraine at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin speaks about the direct negotiations starting Thursday in Türkiye, saying, 'We hope this is a serious starting point to end the war." May 15, 2025 Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, speaking to journalists outside the Pontifical Gregorian University By Salvatore CernuzioAll eyes are on Türkiye, a possible destination for Pope Leo XIV's first journey, marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, as well as the setting beginning on Thursday 15 May of the Istanbul summit, which hopes to bring together the presidents of Russia and Ukraine for direct negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, answered journalists' questions on the sidelines of the event titled 'Toward a Theology of Hope for and from Ukraine,' held at the Pontifical Gregorian University and organized under the patronage of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He shares hopes for these U.S.-mediated direct talks, which could, for the first time, see Presidents Zelensky and Putin meet in person. 'We always hope there are openings for peace,' the Cardinal told various media outlets. 'We are pleased that there is finally the possibility of a direct meeting. We hope that the existing issues can be resolved there and that a genuine peace process can begin.' According to the Secretary of State, it is 'premature' to predict what will happen, but the hope is that the meeting in Istanbul will mark 'a serious starting point' to end the war. Too early to consider a papal visit to Kyiv Cardinal Parolin also said it is 'premature' to consider a possible visit by Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine, touching on President Zelensky's invitation during a phone call on Monday morning. The Pope made impassioned appeals for the regions scarred by war during the Regina Caeli on Sunday and again in a speech earlier that day at the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches. 'He will continue, as he has done numerous times since the start of his pontificate, to call for an end to the war,' the Cardinal assured. 'We remain ready to offer spaces as well. Talking about mediation might be excessive, but at the least we are willing to offer good offices to facilitate meetings.' At the same time, the Vatican does not want 'to interfere with other ongoing initiatives.' Repatriation mechanism for children remains active The Holy See's position, said the Secretary of State, is one that 'seeks to bring the parties closer rather than create further divisions.' He confirmed that the mechanism, initiated and supported by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi's mission which has led to the repatriation of some Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia, remains 'active.' This mainly involves 'exchanging names via the Nunciatures, then local verification and responses.' The number of these children remains 'highly disputed,' but the key, he says, is that 'they are gradually being reunited with their families, homes, and loved ones.' Ending the conflict in Gaza Regarding the Middle East, the Pope and the Holy See will continue along the path set by Pope Francis: persistent appeals 'to end the conflict in Gaza, achieve the release of hostages,' and 'provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.' On these issues, there was 'a strong call for serious intervention' during the pre-Conclave general congregations, along with 'concern about the dwindling Christian presence in the Middle East.' 'We will need to find responses to this serious problem,' Cardinal Parolin said. Pope Leo XIV's peace efforts Avoiding questions about the content of discussions before and during the Conclave (saying with a smile, 'don't ask us questions we can't answer'), Cardinal Parolin focused instead on the newly elected Pope, who has received 'very positive' comments and reactions. 'He presented himself in a very calm manner. He is a man of peace, who desires peace, and who will build peace through the bridges he mentioned from the very first words of his greeting to the faithful.' Possible trip to Nicaea Finally, in response to a question about the Pope's first journey, the Cardinal said: 'I'm thinking of Nicaea. It's an important moment for the Catholic Church and for ecumenism. It was definitely planned that Pope Francis would go. I imagine Pope Leo will follow the same path.'--
Herald Malaysia
14-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Jubilee of Eastern Churches: Divine Liturgy in the Coptic Rite
His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts and President of the Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops of Egypt, presides over the Divine Liturgy of the Coptic Rite on the occasion of the Jubilee of Eastern Churches in the Pauline Chapel of St. Mary Major. May 14, 2025 The Divine Liturgy in the Coptic Rite at St. Mary Major on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches By Antonella PalermoA penitential dimension, intercessory prayer, and monastic tradition—these were the hallmarks of the Coptic Divine Liturgy celebrated this afternoon, May 12, in the Pauline Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, right beside the tomb of Pope Francis. The celebration was presided over by His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts and President of the Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops of Egypt. Also present were Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; his personal secretary, Father Emanuel Sabadakh; and Archbishop Filippo Ciampanelli, Undersecretary of the same Dicastery. Important moment for the Jubilee This Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches, which will culminate with an audience with Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, May 14. With the arrival of Christianity in Egypt, 'Copt' came to mean 'Egyptian Christian,' referring to those who remained Christian after the Arab conquest of Egypt. It was to these people, who endured great suffering and martyrdom, that the Cardinal turned his attention today, exalting their courage and their profound value. The Cardinal highlighted the martyrdom suffered by the Copts and by other Catholics of Eastern rites. 'You are very experienced in martyrdom,' Cardinal Gugerotti said. 'You've had many martyrs, and even recently, some Copts were killed and became known only because they happened to be recognized. Others remained unknown.' The Cardinal spoke of the 'passionate history' of this Church, which can be seen in its ancient roots and diversity, in its monasticism that spread across the world, in the uniqueness of its liturgy, and also in the many sufferings endured throughout the history of their land. Yet, despite all of this, 'you remained.' Cardinal Gugerotti pointed to certain reasons why these Christians managed to survive and were not uprooted from their homeland. A wisdom born of the blood of martyrdom On behalf of the entire Catholic Church, the Cardinal Prefect thanked them for their steadfast witness: 'My role, from brother to brother,' he stressed, 'is to tell you that this is your home. When you pass through the Holy Door and when you pray—as you did at the start of this celebration—you can be proud of how these prayers resonate in the capital.' He also exhorted them to "pray with intensity, because you too need hope. Everywhere we look, we feel surrounded by the possibility of evil. But we will come to ask you how you managed to survive. These have been terrible years—years of massacres—but you made it. Perhaps it was the blessing of the Holy Family of Egypt, or the great saints and theologians, or a deep identification with the land of Egypt from which your name and your deep faith come—faith that moved mountains. Perhaps it was the tireless work of creating a Coptic Church. The fact is, there is a wisdom in your blood that is precisely the fruit of your blood.' A precious part of the Church Cardinal Gugerotti invoked the Lord's protection 'from new difficulties,' so that the Copts' belonging to the Catholic Church would not only be a source of pride but also reflect a sense of being a precious part of the global Catholic community. He offered reassurance that the Church 'cares' about them. He also encouraged their important mission: 'Be yourselves. Within the Catholic Church, you preserve a unique spiritual experience. God does not count how many people are present—He counts the quality of their presence. This Jubilee,' he emphasized, 'should be an occasion for holiness, so that this holiness, like martyrdom, may be an experience that purifies the Church.' In memory of the late Pope Francis, and praying for our Pope Leo XIV The memory of the late Pope Francis was explicit in both the Cardinal's and the Patriarch's words, as were their hopes for the new Successor of Peter, who will receive members of the Eastern Churches in audience during their Jubilee celebrations from today through Wednesday, May 14. His Beatitude Sedrak, in deep spiritual communion with the faithful in Egypt and those in the diaspora, spoke of Pope Francis as a 'pastor of wisdom who reached wounded hearts in the Church and in humanity, starting from places of fragility. Thanks to his pontificate, many breathed the air of the Gospel.' He then gave thanks for Pope Leo XIV, and offered the prayer that 'the Holy Spirit may guide him as He guided Saint Peter in the early Church.' Hope for a planet freed from the greed of profit The Patriarch strongly emphasized Pope Francis's efforts toward 'reconciliation with our common home'—a direction they intend to continue pursuing with determination. In particular, he echoed the words of the UN Secretary-General in describing the planet as a 'boiling world,' stressing that it does not need illusions but rather authentic hope—hope that does not anesthetize but liberates, 'hope that pushes us to react by overcoming the greed of profit and unchecked globalization.' Hope in world peace 'In the world today, values have become confused. Fear, isolation, and existential anguish dominate—even becoming daily experiences for the faithful,' the Patriarch observed. Yet, he offered reassurance, saying, 'God acts even amid suffering and challenges. Hope drives us to renew our world without surrendering to injustice.' He expressed his hope that we may build societies that are more just and sustainable and embrace 'an economy of life, not of death.' United in the spirit of the Council of Nicaea Finally, he offered a reflection on the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea—a milestone in the Church's history, where Saint Athanasius made a crucial contribution in defending the divinity of Christ. 'This calls us to remain firm in our faith with courage and wisdom and to be, in turn, witnesses of Christ.' His Beatitude Sedrak concluded by entrusting to God his prayer that the Church, guided by the new Holy Father, may remain on this 'one,' 'holy,' 'catholic,' and 'apostolic' path.--Vatican News
