Cardinal Dominique J. Mathieu OFM Conv. is the Archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan of the Latins in Iran. He has been writing reflections during the Twelve-Day War – bringing to the people the Franciscan spirit of love and hope.
On June 9, the sixth day of the war, Cardinal Mathieu wrote how the war is taking place through aircraft and drones. “As a citizen, you are confronted with collateral victims: displaced persons, wounded and dead.” He wrote that he is not taking sides with any of the parties involved, but war is not the solution.
On the eleventh day of the war, he wrote: “Peace, however, does not mean silencing people out of fear. Peace is achieved through the peaceful resolution of conflicts, working for justice, reconciliation and human dignity.”
The following is an excerpt from Cardinal Mathieu’s reflection following the ceasefire:
…The ceasefire, which ended the “12-Day War”, is extremely fragile, as it is currently based on deterrence and not on agreements between the belligerents. We are far from mutual respect and mutual trust. There is no talk of reconciliation in this phase. We are still at the right of self-defence, even in a preventive way….
What we want to transmit today and tomorrow is love and not hate. To get there, we must nurture the spirit by purifying our heart and align it with God’s will. Saint Paulinus of Nola said: “So when you are in the field and are looking at your farm, consider that you too are Christ’s field and devote attention to yourself as you do to your field.
Such an active commitment in the present world, where it is beautiful to live for everyone, prepares a future and distant reality of peace, justice and communion with God.
Please continue to pray for peace.
