Bishop Martinelli is confident that “normal life will resume” in a nation battered by years of war. The situation is “improving”, although it remains “delicate”. The memory of Pope Francis to the nuns murdered in Aden, “a sign of great affection and closeness”. His martyrdom, a source of “reconciliation” for the future. The presence of the nuns of Mother Teresa today.
Milan () – Pope Francis’ words about the sisters killed in Yemen were “a sign of great affection and closeness” to Christians and the entire population, as well as representing a new “attention” to a nation tormented “by war “. This was highlighted in an interview with by Monsignor Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of South Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen), in Cyprus to participate in the symposium promoted by the Department for Oriental Churches from April 20 to 23, commenting the words of the pontiff at the last audience. For the prelate, it is “significant” that he called them “by name” in the context of a “catecheses on the Christian meaning of martyrdom”, because it helps to fully grasp “the sacrifice” making it a source of “hope, reconciliation and peace for the future”. An important warning at a time that could be decisive for the future, after relations between Riyadh and Tehran and the ongoing negotiations between the Saudis and the Houthi rebels, with the relative prisoner exchange. “We all hope that peace can be achieved” to facilitate the delivery of “humanitarian aid,” said Monsignor Martinelli, adding that, based on the testimonies he himself has collected, the situation “is improving, although it remains delicate.”
Below, we reproduce the interview with the Vicar of Arabia:
The restoration of relations between Riyadh and Tehran seems to be able to unblock the question of Yemen as well. Are there prospects for peace, or at least for a lasting truce?
[En el frente diplomático] I have also read these reports in the newspapers. We all hope that peace can be achieved and that all the humanitarian aid necessary to resume normal life will arrive soon. From the direct news I receive, I have confirmation that the situation is actually improving, although it is still delicate.
What news do you get from the country, especially from the humanitarian point of view?
There is still little news. What we do know is that until now some NGOs have been able to act in the midst of so many dangers. Cáritas is also present in the area with some projects.
How are the Christians of Yemen experiencing this new phase?
As is known, Christians have greatly diminished in these eight years of war. Many had to leave Yemen because they no longer had jobs and it was dangerous for them to stay. A few stayed. The indigenous Christians generally stayed, although it is not possible for us to give precise figures. In any case, I would not yet speak of his “return” in the strict sense, but of the start of a new process, and we look to the future with hope.
What value does it have that Pope Francis has remembered the work of the Missionaries of Charity and their sacrifice of faith in Yemen?
It is a sign of great affection and closeness to Christians and to the entire population of Yemen. After all, Pope Francis had already repeatedly shown his attention to this people long tormented by war. But this time it was very significant that the pontiff called these sisters by name in the context of a catechism on the Christian meaning of martyrdom as a supreme witness of love. Furthermore, this memory helps to understand the sacrifice of those sisters as a sign of hope, reconciliation and peace for the future.
You yourself, shortly after your appointment, had reminded your courage in fidelity to the mission. One year later, are they still a source of inspiration and testimony?
Certainly. As the Pope reminded us, one does not kill in the name of God, but for God one can give one’s life. And these nuns gave their lives. The gift they made of their lives is a fundamental point of reference for all. They remind us that we are all called to bear witness to Christ and his love.
What do women religious represent in a missionary perspective? And how alive is his memory today in Aden and among the Christians of the Vicariate?
For me, the testimony of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters is fundamental. They show well what it means to be missionaries, avoiding all forms of proselytism, promoting works of charity and concrete closeness to the people. In our vicariate we celebrate every year at masses for the sisters murdered in Yemen and their memory is alive in all the faithful.
There are still nuns in Yemen today. How does your work continue?
Today we have two communities of Missionary Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and they continue to carry out the same charity service, welcoming the sick and the elderly and serving them with love and dedication. The fact that they have remained despite what happened in 2016 is a great show of love faithful to their mission. We talk to each other often. The last time we did it was on Angel Monday, and with them was the priest who serves in the community: we had a long conversation and prayed together.
