THE Church in Australia is celebrating a Day of Solidarity with the Christians of the Middle East today (December 7) as a delegation of Australian bishops prepares to visit the troubled region.
The decision on the Day of Solidarity, made at the bishops’ recent plenary meeting in Sydney, follows a request from the Conference of Bishops and Representatives of the Middle Eastern Apostolic Churches in Australia and New Zealand.
“Comfort! Comfort my people, says the Lord” (Isaiah 40:1) is the theme for the day of prayer.
As well as prayer, financial offerings will also be invited “to help alleviate the suffering of Christians, especially the many Iraqi refugees”.
In his letter to the ACBC, Middle Eastern Churches conference president Bishop Robert Rabbat, of the Melkite Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand, said “the situation for Christians and other minorities in the Middle East is deteriorating by the day”.
“Communities that have been present in the region since apostolic times are being driven out in the midst of unspeakable atrocities,” Bishop Rabbat wrote.
“The present tragedy in the Middle East not only impacts upon the communities of the area, but has far-reaching implications for the peace and security of the world.”
Bishop Rabbat said, considering the widespread significance of the crisis, the leaders from the Middle Eastern churches were inviting all Catholic communities to join them today “as we ask for the mercy of God for our persecuted brothers and sisters in the Middle East”.
The conference of Middle Eastern Churches includes the Melkite, Chaldean, Maronite, Armenian, Syrian and Coptic Catholic churches; the Antiochian, Syrian and Coptic Orthodox churches; and the Ancient Church of the East.
ACBC president Archbishop Denis Hart said: “We hear the plea of our brother bishops from the Eastern Churches and we join them in expressing our grave concerns about the suffering of the Christian communities, that trace their roots back to apostolic times, and the danger of their gradual disappearance from their ancient homelands.”
An ACBC delegation will visit refugees in Kurdistan, Iraq and Lebanon on December 14 to offer spiritual support and humanitarian aid.
The delegation of Australian bishops will comprise Canberra and Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous, Melkite Archbishop Robert Rabbat, Chaldean Archbishop Jibrael Kassab and Maronite Archbishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay.
Archbishop Kassab said: “All the Christians of Iraq desperately need our prayers and support.
“These, our wounded brothers and sisters, were brutally forced to leave their hometowns and all their belongings in order to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.”
The ACBC has urged Australian Catholics to join their Christian brothers and sisters of the Middle East in showing the world that while “some trust in chariots and horses, we trust in the Lord, our God”. (Psalm 20:7)
Prayer for Peace
“Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. I beseech You to guide all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honour and praise. Amen.” (St Ephraim the Syrian)
