Pope Leo XIV urges ROACO to support war-torn Eastern Churches, condemns violence, and calls for prayer, aid, and appreciation of Eastern Catholic traditions.
Newsroom, June 26, 2024, Gaudium Press – In a heartfelt address delivered in the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo XIV met with participants of the Plenary Session of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO), emphasizing the urgent need to support the Eastern Catholic Churches amid escalating conflicts and humanitarian crises. The Pope’s speech underscored the mission of ROACO as a beacon of hope for communities ravaged by war, calling for renewed commitment to peace, prayer, and witness to Christ’s teachings.
“God loves a cheerful giver,” the Pope began, quoting 2 Corinthians 9:7, as he praised ROACO’s work as a Gospel-driven mission that brings joy to God and hope to the Christian East. He acknowledged the dire circumstances facing these regions, describing them as “devastated by wars, plundered by special interests, and covered by a cloud of hatred.” Highlighting the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and the broader Middle East, he decried the absence of representatives from the Holy Land, unable to attend due to ongoing violence.
The Pope condemned the prevailing “might makes right” mentality, criticizing the erosion of international and humanitarian law. “It is unworthy of our humanity, shameful for all mankind and for the leaders of nations,” he said, questioning how acts of war could be seen as paths to peace. He lamented the diversion of resources to weapons, noting, “Money that could be used to build new hospitals and schools is instead being used to destroy those that already exist.”
Calling for action beyond outrage, Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to transform tragic news into “a cry of intercession before God” through prayer and to extend tangible aid through organizations like ROACO. He emphasized the importance of bearing witness to Christ’s love, particularly in the Christian East, where fidelity to Jesus offers an alternative to the “mindset of division and revenge.” He expressed gratitude to Eastern Christians who “respond to evil with good,” especially those who remain in conflict zones as disciples of Christ.
The Pope also highlighted the spiritual richness of Eastern Catholic traditions, describing their liturgies as “allowing God to dwell in time and space” and their chants as “an incessant plea for forgiveness for humanity.” He called for greater appreciation of these traditions within the broader Catholic Church, echoing Saint John Paul II’s metaphor of the Church needing to “breathe with both lungs, the Eastern and the Western.” To this end, he advocated for educational initiatives, such as courses on Eastern Churches in seminaries and Catholic universities, and encouraged pastoral collaboration with Eastern Catholics, many of whom now live in Western countries due to forced migration.
Reflecting on recent atrocities, including the attack on the Church of Saint Elias in Damascus, Pope Leo XIV praised ROACO for witnessing “the seeds of the Gospel taking root in the desert” and encountering communities that persevere through faith. He entrusted ROACO’s mission to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the Apostles Peter and Paul, urging members to “persevere in charity, animated by the hope of Christ.”
The address concluded with a blessing and a call to action, reinforcing the Pope’s vision of a Church united in support of its suffering Eastern members, fostering peace and mutual enrichment through shared faith.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from vatican.ca
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