Advertisement Messenger PublicationsMessenger Publications Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Iraqi Archbishop speaks on Communion in Suffering at IEC2012


Patriarch Fouad Twal

Patriarch Fouad Twal

There was a noticeable international flavour as the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on a day when speakers and pilgrims explored the theme of 'Communion in Suffering and in Healing'.

Patriarch Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was the main celebrant of the Mass in the RDS arena on the Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday.

During his homily he said: "Much has changed in the world after two thousand years. Yet the story is the same as it ever was. The Christians in Jerusalem at the beginning of the Church, were very few and found courage only in the presence of Christ.

"Today, we too, need to realize that Christ is with us, and find courage in His presence. Though are very few and diminishing in number, may we Christians in Jerusalem as well as all Christians remain faithful where the Lord has placed us!"

"Considering the political situation in the Middle East, it is human to be afraid, because we suffer and feel threatened in our existence. But fear is not an acceptable response for a follower of Christ...while we may feel alone; Christ is our hope, joy and freedom."

At the Congress Prayer Space, Friday's Morning Prayer was led by Bishop Derek Byrne, Bishop of Guiratinga, Brazil. The concelebrants at the daily Mass were: Patriarch Fouad Twal; Jerusalem, Archbishop Bashar Warda (Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Iraq, Bishop Elias Bolanos Avelar; El Salvador, Bishop Pierre Tran Dinh Tu; Vietnam, Bishop Vittorino Girardi Stellin, MCCJ; Costa Rica, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Cardinal Sean Brady; Primate of All-Ireland.

Archbishop Bashar Warda, Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Iraq delivered his catechesis on: 'Suffering as a means of communion'.

In his address he spoke about how "The Iraqi people are extremely sensible and moved, when one of the family members passes away. They weep loud and bitterly, and for weeks. They gather and sit together recalling
the deceased one, with the whole family, and the complete clan. At those moments, all differences and disputes are forgotten...At those moments of grieving, the family, and even the whole village become deeply united in their sorrow and pain."

He then spoke of the impact of the persecution that exists for some members of the Christian community in Iraq and how such intense moments of feeling, unite the church as a community.

Rose Busingye of Meeting Point International, Uganda, spoke about her work with people with HIV/AIDS, orphans, poor and old, teachers in schools. She said: "The aim is not to leave them alone in front sickness, suffering and death, but to discover together the meaning and the sense of their suffering even death. It's something that provokes and awakens us to discover the full meaning and the dignity of the human life and love."

The musical performers during the main arena events were Meath Diocesan Choir, directed by Jim Walsh and accompanied by Ephrem Feeley, Colleen Gormley; Spiritual Singer, Elation Ministries, St Ultans Orchestra and Ian Callanan and Choir.

Adverts

Sisters of the Holy Cross

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon