Fernando Filoni

Fernando Filoni (2019)

Fernando Filoni (15 April 1946 –) is a Cardinal prelate of the Catholic Church who serves as Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Quotes

• If we base coexistence on human rights, then we all have the same rights. The Middle East belongs to everyone because of its ancient culture and civilization. We are indebted to it. Also, from the Christian point of view, here took place Jesus’ life, that of the prophets, of the primitive Church that had great vitality for centuries. The Christian presence, even in its multiform expressions, is important. The logic of making these communities disappear is like making life disappear and preparing a desert, an impoverished environment. For millennia, the presence of so many religious, ethnic and cultural expressions has enriched this region. Of course, it is not like persecution never got the better of civil coexistence there in the past — far from it! But we ask ourselves: Must we continue with that logic? Have we learned nothing from history and from the suffering of millions of people? Is it still necessary to resort to the logic of oppression? Why should the riches of that region make envy, jealousy, oppression prevail instead of development, sharing and peaceful coexistence?
  • Cardinal Filoni: Iraqi Christians Have the Fundamental Human Right to Remain on Their Historic Lands (February 28, 2021)