By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis held a crucial meeting on August 28 with the Latin-rite Catholic leaders of several Middle Eastern and Arabic-speaking countries, amid growing concerns about an escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The meeting was part of the plenary assembly of the Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (CELRA), which represents Latin Catholics across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Cyprus, Djibouti, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula.
During the meeting, Pope Francis encouraged the bishops to remain steadfast in their faith and to engage in “respectful and sincere dialogue with everyone.” He acknowledged the “very strong tension” in the Middle East, noting that these tensions often lead to violent clashes and even war.
“The conflict, instead of finding an equitable solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk that it will spread to ignite the entire region,” Pope Francis warned. He expressed his deep concern over the devastating impact of the conflict, including the loss of thousands of lives, widespread destruction, and the perpetuation of hatred and resentment.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who oversees Latin Catholics in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus, heads CELRA. The vice president of the conference is Bishop Cesar Essayan, OFM Conv, apostolic vicar for Latin Catholics in Beirut, Lebanon.
Amid the escalating hostilities, particularly involving the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and its regional ally Iran, Pope Francis conveyed his solidarity with the bishops and the Catholic communities they serve. He urged them to be symbols of hope and agents of peace, brotherhood, and respect in a region fraught with deep-rooted divisions and enmities.
“May you keep hope alight,” the Pope exhorted. “Be yourselves, for everyone, signs of hope, a presence that fosters words and gestures of peace.”
Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of providing a solid Christian formation to students in public schools, especially in regions where Christians are a minority. He highlighted the need for this formation to strengthen faith and equip the faithful to articulate the reasons for their Christian hope.
In his concluding remarks, Pope Francis urged the bishops to continue their mission with courage, fostering reconciliation and working towards peace, even in the most challenging circumstances.
