Aware of the rich diversity of the Northeast Ohio community, including Armenian Christians, Bishop Edward Malesic sent a letter to Father Hratch Sargsyan, pastor of St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Apostolic Church, and the local Armenian Christian community expressing concern over the ongoing and escalating violence and destruction in the Caucasus region. He is asking Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland and all people of goodwill to join him in praying that talks aimed at resolving the conflict will resume with a goal of peace.
Read the bishop’s letter below.
Dear Father Hratch,
Grace and peace to you!
As Bishop of Cleveland, my concerns are typically focused on the needs of the Catholic community. However, I am also deeply aware of the rich diversity of our community in Northeast Ohio. The Armenian Christians have a home here and their concern about the events of bombing and destruction in Nagorno-Karabakh, an area of the world far from the United States, might seem distant and obscure to many of us. However, it is abundantly clear that prayer for peace in that area is necessary for the suffering is frightfully real and touches the lives not only of the Armenian Christians here but other nationalities and religions of that region.
Over the past few months, fighting has escalated in the Caucasus region over the long-disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have reportedly been killed and thousands displaced by the violence in recent weeks. Concerns are rising that involvement by other countries may further expand the conflict.
I ask Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland and all people of goodwill to join me in prayer for peace, for an end to the violence and for a resumption of talks aimed at resolving this conflict in the Caucasus. Let us be challenged and take heart in the words of the Holy Father’s new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti that calls us to a love “that transcends the barriers of geography and distance.”
In his daily prayer, Pope Francis recently called for ‘the parties in conflict to perform concrete acts of good will and brotherhood that may lead to resolve the problems, not with the use of force and arms but through dialogue and negotiation.’ I add my voice to that of the Holy Father and echo his call for an end to all hostilities and a focused dedication to a peaceful resolution of differences. I remain
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverand Edward C. Malesic, J.C.L.
Bishop of Cleveland