January 27, 2013
(Romereports.com) In the Catholic Church, the Latin Rite is definitely the most popular. But the Church actually has about 22 different rites,
many of them come from the Middle East. In fact, John Paul II once
described the Latin rite as one lung, and those of the Middle East as
another. They are different, but they work together under one body.
MSGR. JOHN KOZAR
President CNEWA
“Syro Malabar is one of the largest and Syrian Malankara, which actually have a Syriac connection.
Then you have Caldeans in Iraq. You have Maronites, very well known also in the United States.
You have Melkites in most of the countries in the Middle East. You have Coptics.”
But
despite the different liturgical traditions, most recently the
attention has been on the ongoing conflicts surrounding these areas.
Sometimes it's religious or political persecution. Other times, it's straight out war.
MSGR. JOHN KOZAR
President CNEWA
“I
was just told yesterday by the Lebanese diplomat that 1,500 Syrians
every day are fleeing into Lebanon. Jordan is probably equally as many,
maybe more, also into Turkey. Many of those are Christians.”
That's where the Catholic Near East Welfare Association comes in. Known as CNEWA, the Papal agency helps Christians in the Middle East.
From supporting them so they can practice their faith to simply helping
them survive and have a better future. Everything from food to health
care, housing, training and education. However, no one is excluded.
SAMI EL-YOUSEF
CNEWA Regional Director (Jerusalem)
“If
you reflect on Gaza, in particular which is a dramatic case, 99 percent
of the students of our Christian schools are Muslims.”
ISSAM BISHARA
CNEWA Regional Director (Beirut, Lebanon)
“These are all run by religious, Christian organizations that I think without them, the country would not be the same.”
Back in September 2012, the Pope visited Lebanon where he called for peace. He specifically went to deliver the Apostolic Exhortation on the Middle East. Since then, Issam Bishara says, even non Christian leaders have used the document as a type of 'road map' for their country.
ISSAM BISHARA
CNEWA Regional Director (Beirut, Lebanon)
“The
idea was, the basic idea was for Christians to be an integral part of
their communities, to be part of their countries in every aspect of the
social life and other aspects.”
MSGR. JOHN KOZAR
President CNEWA
“Despite
all of these horrendous odds, people still reach down in their faith
and they do still lift themselves up with some hope, I think with our
young people there, that's the big challenge.”
At this point CNEWA has offices in eight countries. They're asking Christians who can openly practice their faith, to help out those who often times, can't do the same.
KLH
AA
JM
-PR
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