Flagging a Holy See study on the viability of a bilateral committee to develop relations with Iran, Pope Benedict urged the central Asian nation to play a role "as a bridge between the Middle East and subcontinental Asia." The Pope said that "as a bridge between the Middle East and subcontinental Asia" Iran "should not fail to realise its vocation" to work for peace between nations, ANSA reports.
"We need to develop harmonious relationships with the public institutions so that, with the grace of God, these will gradually become deeper and will permit (the Catholic community in Iran) to better accomplish their mission... in reciprocal respect and for the good of all," he said.
Benedict invited Catholics in Iran to "keep their identity and ancient faith" and asked the bishops, led by the Chaldean archbishop of Tehran, Ramzi Garmou, to "help the faithful that remain in Iran and encourage them to stay in touch with the numerous families who have chosen (to leave the country)."
An estimated 25,000 Chaldean, Armenian and Roman Catholics still live in Iran after most of the 300,000 strong Catholic community in the country left after an Islamic revolution in 1979. There are thought to be around 100,000 Christians in Iran, which has a population of 70.5 million.
It was the pope's second overture to Iran in just over a week, ANSA says. Speaking to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican on January 8, Benedict called for a negotiated solution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme "in a way which would satisfy the legitimate needs of the country and the international community."
"Obtaining this result would greatly promote regional and world detente," said Benedict.
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(Source: AN)