Last Sunday, in Aleppo, Syria, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, consecrated Bishop Fra Hanna Jallouf, OFM, as the Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo for the Catholic of Latin Rite. The co-consecrators for this significant event were the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio in Syria.
Both Archbishop Gugerotti and Patriarch Pizzaballa are slated to be elevated to the rank of cardinal within the Holy Roman Church by the Pope during the upcoming consistory scheduled for September 30.
In his homily, the Prefect stated, “Today, the Spirit will consecrate you as the father of this people and the guardian of that house of peace which is the Church. It is a place where weapons are not the entry ticket, but rather the unarmed weapon of faith is the key. Woe to those who would attempt to violate this sanctified space. Let all who, through acts of violence, seek to impose their version of peace, reconsider their actions. This includes those who, in the global arena, perceive themselves as peacemakers, yet force underprivileged communities to endure myriad hardships—lacking access to light, sometimes water, fuel, and most critically, opportunities for development. This isolation affects your people, the vulnerable among us. Such practices may not impact the world’s powerful, but they deeply affect the growing number of impoverished individuals, depriving them of the basic exchanges necessary for leading a life with even minimal dignity.”
Archbishop Gugerotti further emphasized, “The Church stands by your side and the side of your entire community. Today, this place of worship is the epicenter of the world, where God manifests His miracle of love and offers you a hope that remains unwavering. Despite the adversities, maintain your smiles because you are profoundly cherished by the Father who sent His Son to stand in solidarity with you, even unto the sacrifice on the cross. And following His resurrection, you, dear brothers and sisters, will also rise with Him, securing an eternal abode in Paradise—the tranquil garden of peace.”
