1) The "powerful images" of Yeghishe Charents
It gives me great joy to be here, to set foot on the soil of this
beloved land of Armenia, to visit a people of ancient and rich
traditions, a people that has given courageous testimony to its faith
and suffered greatly, yet has shown itself capable of constantly being
reborn.
“Our turquoise sky, our clear waters, the flood of light, the summer
sun and the proud winter borealis… our age-old stones … our ancient
etched books which have become a prayer” (ELISE CIARENZ, Ode to
Armenia). These are among the powerful images that one of your
illustrious poets offers us to illustrate the rich history and natural
beauty of Armenia. They sum up the rich legacy and the glorious yet
dramatic experience of a people and their deep-seated love of their
country.
2) Medz Yeghern is not terminology of denial
I am most grateful to you, Mr. President, for your kind words of
welcome in the name of the government and people of Armenia, and for
your gracious invitation that has made it possible to reciprocate the
visit you made to the Vatican last year. There you attended the solemn
celebration in Saint Peter’s Basilica, together with Their Holinesses
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians, and Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and His Beatitude Nerses
Bedros XIX, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, recently deceased.
The occasion was the commemoration of the centenary of the Medz Yeghern,
the “Great Evil” that struck your people and caused the death of a vast
multitude of persons. Sadly, that tragedy, that genocide, was the first
of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century, made
possible by twisted racial, ideological or religious aims that darkened
the minds of the tormentors even to the point of planning the
annihilation of entire peoples.
3) Armenian "strength to rise again"
I pay homage to the Armenian people who, illuminated by the light of
the Gospel, even at the most tragic moments of their history, have
always found in the cross and resurrection of Christ the strength to
rise again and take up their journey anew with dignity. This shows the
depth of their Christian faith and its boundless treasures of
consolation and hope. Having seen the pernicious effects to which
hatred, prejudice and the untrammeled desire for dominion led in the
last century, I express my lively hope that humanity will learn from
those tragic experiences the need to act with responsibility and wisdom
to avoid the danger of a return to such horrors. May all join in
striving to ensure that whenever conflicts emerge between nations,
dialogue, the enduring and authentic quest of peace, cooperation between
states and the constant commitment of international organizations will
always prevail, with the aim of creating a climate of trust favorable
for the achievement of lasting agreements.
4) The manipulation of God's name to persecute Christians today
The Catholic Church wishes to cooperate actively with all those who
have at heart the future of civilization and respect for the rights of
the human person, so that spiritual values will prevail in our world and
those who befoul their meaning and beauty will be exposed as such. In
this regard, it is vitally important that all those who declare their
faith in God join forces to isolate those who use religion to promote
war, oppression and violent persecution, exploiting and manipulating the
holy name of God.
Today Christians in particular, perhaps even more than at the time of
the first martyrs, in some places experience discrimination and
persecution for the mere fact of professing their faith. At the same
time, all too many conflicts in various parts of the world remain
unresolved, causing grief, destruction and forced migrations of entire
peoples. It is essential that those responsible for the future of the
nations undertake courageously and without delay initiatives aimed at
ending these sufferings, making their primary goal the quest for peace,
the defense and acceptance of victims of aggression and persecution, the
promotion of justice and sustainable development. The Armenian people
have experienced these situations firsthand; they have known suffering
and pain; they have known persecution; they preserved not only the
memory of past hurts, but also the spirit that has enabled them always
to start over again. I encourage you not to fail to make your own
precious contribution to the international community.
5) An "equitable and inclusive" Armenia
This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. It is a joyful occasion, but also an opportunity, in
cherishing the goals already achieved, to propose new ones for the
future. The celebration of this happy anniversary will be all the more
significant if it becomes for all Armenians, both at home and in the
diaspora, a special moment for gathering and coordinating energies for
the sake of promoting the country’s civil and social development of the
country, one that is equitable and inclusive. This will involve constant
concern for ensuring respect for the moral imperatives of equal justice
for all and solidarity with the less fortunate (cf. JOHN PAUL II,
Farewell Address from Armenia, 27 September 2001: Insegnamenti XXIX/2
[2001], 489). The history of your country runs parallel to its Christian
identity preserved over the centuries. That identity, far from impeding
a healthy secularity of the state, instead requires and nourishes it,
favoring the full participation of all in the life of society, freedom
of religion and respect for minorities. A spirit of unity between all
Armenians and a growing commitment to find helpful means of overcoming
tension with neighboring countries, will facilitate the realization of
these important goals, and inaugurate for Armenia an age of true
rebirth.
6) What the Catholic Church does in Armenia
The Catholic Church is present in this country with limited human
resources, yet readily offers her contribution to the development of
society, particularly through her work with the poor and vulnerable in
the areas of healthcare and education, but also in the specific area of
charitable assistance. This is seen in the work carried out in the past
twenty-five years by the Redemptoris Mater Hospital in Ashotzk, the
educational institute in Yerevan, the initiatives of Caritas Armenia and
the works managed by the various religious congregations.
May God bless and protect Armenia, a land illumined by the faith, the
courage of the martyrs and that hope which proves stronger than any
suffering.
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