Chaldean Patriarch's call for prayer for unity

Let us take the opportunity for prayer, reflection, discernment and examination of conscience to restore harmony considering that division is sinful said the Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I in a message  at the beginning of the season of Lent. 

He urged the people to fast  and also invited the Muslim brothers and sisters to join them for a few days of fasting to obtain as soon as possible the gift of peace, stability and a dignified lifestyle for their country and for all the Middle East. The life conditions are very difficult especially for the displaced families he said.

He stressed on promotion of brotherhood, cooperation and coexistence by building a good relationship with everyone, and giving priority to forgiveness, reconciliation and the common good while refraining from fanaticism and conflicts that create discomforts.

He urged the faithful to uphold moral values and ideals such as honesty, sacrifice, and helping those in need, "the brother who helps his brother is a fortified city" (Proverbs18:19).

The Patriarch calls on  all the faithful of the Chaldean Church and all Iraqis to “love their country, just as they love their mother and father, and  to work to strengthen their  unity in diversity, rather than pursue sectarianism, recalling that diversity itself is part of the plan of God.

He concluded by saying that we  Christians are testimonies of hope and carry  a history, a civilization and a message. (AsiaNews)