VATICAN CITY, FEB. 5, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of the patriarch of Antioch of the Syrian Catholics, saying the patriarch's appeal to resign reflects his apostolic zeal.
The Pope wrote a letter to Archbishop Ignace Pierre VIII Abdel-Ahad, on the occasion of the latter's resignation from the office of patriarch of Antioch of the Syrian Catholics, the Vatican reported Saturday. The archdiocese is located in Lebanon.
In his message, the Bishop of Rome referred to a letter the patriarch sent him explaining the reasons for his decision. And the Pontiff recalled how "you presented your resignation from the office of patriarch following a period of reflection and prolonged prayer before the Lord."
"I very much appreciate," the Holy Father continued, "this gesture of ecclesial love, motivated above all by your concern for the spiritual progress of the faithful and for harmony among bishops, and in which I perceive an admirable confirmation of your apostolic zeal."
Benedict XVI expressed his gratitude "for all the good" achieved during the years "in which you were patriarch, and for the ecclesial service you have performed with abnegation and generosity throughout your life."
Having reflected deeply and having listened to the views of your collaborators, the Pope wrote, "I felt it my duty to accept your resignation for the noble pastoral reasons that motivated it."
He added: "I wish to inform you that having given the matter careful attention -- and consenting to certain requests of the extraordinary synod which met in the Vatican from April 26 to 28, 2007 -- I have decided that the government of the Syrian-Catholic Church should be entrusted for an appropriate period of time, until the election of your successor, to an episcopal committee composed of three members: Archbishop Theophile Georges Kassab of Homs, Hama and Nabk of the Syrians, who will also administer the patriarchal eparchy; Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka of Baghdad of the Syrians; and Archbishop Gregorios Elias Tabe of Damascus of the Syrians. The patriarchate will be presided by each of the three members in turn."
The Holy Father concluded his letter by expressing the certainty that the archbishop "will continue to offer the precious gift of prayer, wise counsel and the sacrifice of heart, as well as the trials and the joys that Divine Providence does not fail to dispense to good pastors."
ZE08020507 - 2008-02-05
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-21686?l=english
Syrian Patriarch Resigns
Pope Assigns Church to 3-Member Committee
© Innovative Media, Inc.
Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor.
 |
Send this to a friend |  |
Comment on this article |
 |
Printer-friendly format |  |
PDF format |
 |
Home |
