Official visit of His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Georgia

Official visit of His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Georgia
28.12.2019 / article / #events

This year on December, 27 His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of Holy See, arrived in Georgia on an official visit.

A Divine Liturgy was held in the Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the participation of three Catholic Rites (Chaldean, Latin, Armenian) on December 28, at 4 o'clock.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin's visit to Georgia is connected with the celebration of the following anniversaries:

40 years since the historical visit of His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of Entire Georgia Ilia II to Vatican;

25 years since the foundation of Apostolic Administration in Transcaucasia for Latin rite Catholics;

25 years since the foundation of "Caritas Georgia";

30 years of Catholicism of the Armenian rite in Javakheti;

30 years since the foundation of the "Missionary sisters of Mercy" named after mother Teresa of Calcutta;

25 years since the foundation of the stigmata fathers Mission;

25 years since the foundation of "the Ark" by Jean Vannie;

20 years since the historic visit of Pope Joann Paul II to Georgia;

10 years since the consecration of Mar Shemmon Bar Sabbae Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Church in Tbilisi.

Throughout the years, the work of these people has been imbued with mercy, love and care for the most vulnerable layers of the population of Georgia. Our heartiest thanks to them for this and may God bless their self-sacrificing work.

After the Divine liturgy, a meeting of the representative of the highest clergy of the Georgian Orthodox Church, state authorities and local Catholic parishes with Cardinal Pietro Parolin took place in the building of the Old City Hall.

The next day, December 29 at 16.00 in “Caritas Georgia” (at the address: Tornike Eristavi st., 2d), Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with employees and managers of children's and youth programs, as well as Catholic Church Social Operators in Caritas Georgia. Cardinal Pietro Parolin visited Orthodox Church, “St. Barbarа mothers and children Center» and one сmall group home of CG. Then the program continued in Big Hall of Caritas, where the President of Caritas Georgia Chorbishop Benyamin Beth Yadgar and Cardinal Pietro Parolin made a welcoming speeches. At the end of a wonderful day, Camilian’s and Caritas Georgia children presented their performance.

On the evening of the same day, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with His Holiness and Beatitude the Catholicos - Patriarch of Entire Georgia Ilia II in the Patriarchate of Georgia. The meeting was held in a warm atmosphere.

Welcome speech of the president of "Caritas Georgia" dedicated to the visit of His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the "Caritas Georgia" structures

Your Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of The Holy See!

Your Excellency Monsignor José A. Bettencourt, Apostolic Nuncio!

Your Excellency Monsignor Raphael Minasyan, Bishop of the Armenian Rite!

Your Excellency Monsignor Giuseppe Pasotto, Bishop of the Latin Rite!

Ms. Anaid Mkhoyan, director of "Caritas Georgia"!

Dear brothers and sisters!

Your Eminence, let me express the heartiest thanks and welcome you on behalf of “Caritas Georgia” which has been working for the benefit of this country for 25 years. "Caritas Georgia" is legally under the guidance and close cooperation of three Catholic Rites: Armenian, Chaldean and Latin.

After the collapse of the Communist Regime, we unexpectedly found ourselves face to face with political, economic, social and legal problems. It was a difficult period when to lose hope was very easy..

Famine and unemployment forced many to leave their families and country. And namely then the Catholic Church, despite its limited resources, shares the needs of poor and thanks to Caritas, begins to live in total solidarity and unity with the people. This was the solidarity without any limits or borders. Caritas focused its attention on a person, regardless his national, religious or confessional affiliation.

After all, the message of Pope Joan Paul II was to help those in need without asking who they are and what they believe. Joan Paul II told us: "We must help the Orthodox to be good Orthodox, help the Catholics to be good Catholics and the Muslims to be good Muslims".

"Caritas Georgia" is really recognized now, thanks to the deeds and coordinated work of all the structures of the Catholic Church, including: three rites, religious congregations, dioceses, parishes, which, as one whole, follow the way of our Lord Jesus. "Caritas Georgia" is acknowledged and respected by the state authorities, the Orthodox Church and personally by His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank Father Witold Shulchinsky, the first Director of "Caritas Georgia", who left a symbol of mercy that corresponds to the teaching of the Church.

Your Eminence, this short term but very important visit of one of the many projects of Caritas inspires and gives us strength to continue our service with love to the most needy, vulnerable layers of society, the society that is increasingly striving for the consumerism and indifference towards each other.

Many thanks on behalf of the Assembly of founders of "Caritas Georgia": Monsignor Raphael Minasyan and Monsignor Giuseppe Pasotto, as well as on behalf of all employees.

Chorbishop Benyamin Beth Yadgar
Pastor of Mar Shemmon Bar Sabbae Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Church in Tbilisi
President of “Caritas Georgia”

29.12.2019

Il benvenuto del presidente della “Caritas Georgia” in occasione della visita di Sua Eminenza Cardinalе Pietro Parolin alle strutture di Caritas Georgia

Sua Eminenza Reverendissima Mons. Pietro Parolin, Segretario di Stato della Santa Sede,

Sua Eccellenza Reverendissima Mons. José A. Bettencourt, Nuncio Apostolico,

Sua Eccellenza Reverendissima Mons. Raphael Minasian, l’ordinario del Rito Armeno,

Sua Eccellenza Reverendissima Mons. Giuseppe Pasotto, Vescovo del Rito Latino,

Signora Anahid Mxoyan, Diretrice di Caritas Georgia,

Cari confratelli e sorelle,

Eminenza Reverendissima, La ringrazio e Le do un caloroso benvenuto a nome della Caritas in Georgia, che oramai lo possiamo dire più di 25 anni sta al servizio di questo paese. La Caritas in Georgia é guidata giuridicamente in una strеtta collaborazione da tre riti cattolici: Rito Armeno, Rito Caldeo e Rito Latino.

Dopo il crollo del regime comunista, all’improvviso ci siamo trovati soli ad afrontare i problem politici, economici, sociali, religiosi, giuridici. Era un periodо buio nella quale era facile perdere la speranza.

Infatti la fame e la disoccupazione costringevano molti ad abbandonare la propria famiglia, il proprio paese. Ma proprio fu allora che la Chiesa cattolica con le le sue provere possibilità rimane accanto ai poveri e tramite Caritas vive la piena solidarietà con la gente.

Una solidarietà senza orizzonti. Al centro dell'attenzione della Caritas fu la persona, senza la sua appartenenza ne alla nazione, ne religione, ne confessione etc…

Infatti la raccomandazione del Papa Giovanni Paolo II, fu di aiutare senza chiedere, chi sei? A cosa credi? Ci ha detto ad aiutare gli ortodossi ad essere bravi ortodossi, aiutare e cattolici ad essere bravi cattolici, autare i musulmani, ad essere I bravi musulmani e cosi via.

La Caritas in Georgia, oggi realmente riconosciuta, grazie ai servizi di tutte le istituzioni della Chiesa Cattolica, tra i quali: i tre riti, le congregazioni religiose, i diocesani, come una identità che cammina sulle orme del Signore Gesù. E come tale è stata rispettata dalle autorità dello Stato, cosi anche dalla Chiesa Ortodossa ed in persona dalla Sua Santità Patriarca Elia II.

E qui vorrei ringraziare P. Witold Szulczynski che fu il primo direttore della Caritas e ha lasciato un immagine della carità che è compattibile con l’insegnamento della Chiesa.

Eminenza, La Sua breve ma molto significativa visita a uno tra i tanti progetti della Caritas, ci incoraggia, ci da la forza, di continuare ad amare servendo i più bisognosi, i più immarginati di una società che tende sempre di più ad assere consumista, ad essere indifferente verso l’altro.

Grazie di cuore a nome dell’ assemblea dei fondatori di Caritas: Mons. Raphael Minasian, Mons. Giuseppe Pasotto e a nome di tutti gli impiegati.

Corepiscopo Mons. Benny Beth Yadegar
Parroco della Chiesa Cattolica Caldea di Mar Shemmun Bar Sabbae
e Presidente della “Caritas Georgia”

29.12.2019