by MINA AMSO
From March 5-8, Pope Francis and his delegates are scheduled to travel thousands of kilometres to the east, to brave dangerous conditions, an uncertain political climate, the presence of the coronavirus, and insecurity, to land their feet on holy, solid grounds.
The Holy Father, for the first time in history, will visit the land of Mesopotamia this March, also known as modern-day Iraq, which holds the meaning: deeply-rooted, well-watered, and fertile.
The Iraqi soil and its tracks date back to thousands of years before Christ, when legends, heroes of the faith, once set out to prepare the way for the coming of the Christ. God intended for this to happen, so that people believe and trust in his power, and grow eventually into the faith that we know today. The Christian faith, the universal faith, the Catholic faith.
Catholic Chaldean Bishop of Sydney and New Zealand, Bishop Ameel Nona, expressed his thoughts, saying it will be a landmark visit. A visit that will mean the start of a new wave, a journey of renewal in the hearts of the people holding on to their Catholic faith in today’s society. The Sydney-based bishop said it is to be a hope-filled visit for the Iraqi people.
“The Pope’s visit is considered to be a strong motivation to Christians everywhere in the world.”
The Pope’s first visit, ever, to Iraq is described by Bishop Nona as being like an excited little child waiting for his spiritual father to arrive home, after a long absence.
“This support is very important, especially after the persecution of Christians in recent years, both religious and ethnic. The cleansing [in particular], to the extent of forcing people to be evicted from their own homes, and killed, [was difficult]. Many churches and parishes closed in a short period of time, especially during 2014.
“[The Pope’s] visit will be a strong support to the Christians who are still living in Iraq.”
Upon arrival, the Pope will go to a number of historically and religiously significant locations. He will explore a few cities and towns in northern and southern Iraq including Mosul, Arbeel, Baghdad and Ur.
Ur, a significant site, is situated near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq — given its connections with Abraham, who is known as the father of the faith. Abraham was born near or in the city of Ur, where he began his journey, following God’s directions, to proclaim the oneness of God and continue towards the promised land.
His journey spanned thousands of kilometres, with very little clue on where he was going, and about what to do in his life, but he trusted the Lord and listened, and went along with God’s plan, the plan of salvation.
Parish priest of the Chaldean Catholic church in south Auckland, Fr Douglas Al-Bazi, is happy about the Pope’s visit. He cited questions around safety and security, saying Pope Francis visiting Iraq means there are “no guarantees” of his safety, but adding that Iraq will be for the Pope — paradoxically — “the safest place” for him. “Because the people surrounding him [for protection on his journey] will be leaders and the militia forces.”
This is the Pope’s first visit to a country in 2021. It will be the first visit to Iraq. St John Paul II in 2000 desired to make this pilgrimage, however, for various reasons, he did not. The mission is now for the current Pope to fulfil.
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