The Most Reverend
Issam John Darwish BSO DD
by the Mercy of God
Melkite Catholic Eparch of Australia & New Zealand
to the Priests and Deacons
and to the Faithful of the Holy Eparchy
An Exhortation for the Inauguration of the Year of St Paul
Reverend and Dear Fathers and Deacons,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Parishes of our beloved Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand,
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has announced the observance of the second millenium of the birth of St Paul, the Apostle to the Nations. The celebrations will begin on the evening of 28 June, 2008, and conclude on 29 June, 2009. This comemorative year encourages us to learn more of the Apostle by way of his letters which he addressed to the various early Christian communities. In the contemplation of his sprituality we are invited to enter ever more deeply into his profound theology.
This Pauline Year also calls us to a revitilisation of our Christian life, a renewed understanding of our vocation and Chistian mission, and, a nourishing of our faith in, and, love for Christ. All this, and more, can be achieved through spiritual retreats and exercises, conferences, seminars, and, scripture study evenings dedicated to the life of this Apostle, who after his conversion, became one of the most outstanding figures in the history of the Christian Church. St Paul derived the entire impetus for his life from the life of Christ, as he says, "It is not I that lives but Christ that lives in me.” (Gal2:20) He invites us to follow his example and live in Christ and with Christ, "Follow my example as I follow the exmple of Christ.” (1Cor.11:1)
His love for Christ, and his all-consuming commitment to Him, compelled him to go out to the nations – proclaiming, teaching, evangelising, and, strengthening the Believers by the Grace of God present in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. With great confidence, I encourage you, my dear Brothers and Sisters, during this year dedicated to the Apostle Paul, to centre your spiritual reading on his letters. Indeed, let us think upon every word he wrote! In particular, I urge my brothers, the priests and deacons, to take the occasion in their homilies to explain the teaching contained within his writings. Just as St Paul was a witness declaring the Word of God, let us be like him, "So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us.” (2Cor 5:20)
Dear Brethren,
In union with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, and our Blessed Patriarch, His Beatitude, Gregory III, I joyfully announce to you the Year of St Paul, and in the Apostle’s own words, I invoke the Divine Assistance upon each of you, "The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, the Father, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2Cor.13:13)
With my love and fervent paternal blessing,
Issam John Darwish, BSO, DD,
Eparch.From our Eparchy
at Greenacre,
28 June, 2008,
the Vigil of the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, at the Hour of Vespers.