Pope to Chaldeans: ‘The only power is the power of the Cross’

Pope Francis told the Synod of the Chaldean Church to “empty and humble themselves” reminding them “the only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the Cross”.

The Pope addressed members of the synod earlier today, speaking about the responsible use of authority in the Church, saying that “journeying together is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice”.

The Holy Father urged them to “keep always before you the image of the Good Shepherd who is concerned for the salvation of his sheep … May you imitate him: zealous in seeking the salus animarum of priests as well as laity, realising full well that the exercise of communion sometimes demands a genuine kenosis, a self-abasement and self-spoliation.”

The Pope lamented the situation caused by hatred sowed through terrorism, saying it has created “a great haemorrhage of faithful who leave the lands of their fathers”.

He added “this state of affairs clearly undermines the vital Christian presence in that land which witnessed the beginning of the journey of the Patriarch Abraham, heard the voice of the Prophets who called Israel to hope during the Exile, and saw the foundation of the first Churches upon the blood of many martyrs”.

The Pope affirmed the “complete support and solidarity of the Apostolic See in favour of the common good of the entire Chaldean Church”, as many Christians are displaced by violence.

Recognising the Chaldean Church’s support of its members in forced to flee, the Pope called them to “work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation among all those engaged in public life”.

He extended the call to the entire international community to sow seeds of peace in war-torn countries, “so that the life-giving breeze of love will once more be felt in places which have always been a crossroads for peoples, cultures and nations”.