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Archbishop Gallagher: May the Church in Russia be a builder of bridges
At the conclusion of his visit to Moscow, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, met with the clergy, religious men and women, and celebrated Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, attended by the Catholic bishops of the country. In his homily, he encouraged, “The Gospel calls us to become true artisans of peace in our daily lives.”
By Stefano Leszczynski – Moscow
Meeting with the clergy, religious men and women of the Catholic community of the Russian Federation, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, expressed his gratitude for the fidelity with which they carry out their pastoral, educational and charitable service, “often in difficult circumstances,” as well as for their commitment to promoting ecclesial communion and dialogue with other Christians.
Welcomed in an atmosphere of deep affection and fellowship, Archbishop Gallagher began by conveying “the affectionate greetings of Pope Leo XIV” to the entire community of priests and consecrated persons.
Recalling the common call to holiness through Baptism, “which the Second Vatican Council placed firmly at the heart of the life of the Church,” the Archbishop explained how, through each person’s vocation, the call to holiness finds expression in the fullness of charity, “to which everyone is called.”
The Church grows and is built up through authentic witnesses, he said, reminding those present that “a particular responsibility has been entrusted to you: to make visible, through your lives, the Gospel that you proclaim.”
“Where communion and unity reign,” Archbishop Gallagher emphasized, “witness becomes credible and fruitful.”
Pastoral commitment and charity
Addressing the importance of the pastoral commitment of religious and consecrated persons, Archbishop Gallagher recalled the invitation Pope Francis extended in Assisi: to “walk with the people, ‘sometimes in front, sometimes in the middle and sometimes behind’—in front to lead, in the middle to support, behind so as not to leave anyone behind; but above all, to walk together, to help one another, to know how to ask for forgiveness and to forgive.”
The challenge of dialogue
The Church’s commitment, he suggested, is also expressed in building paths of dialogue “with other Churches and Christian ecclesial communities, with other religions, and with those who do not share our path.”
Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas and the motto he chose, In Illo uno unum, Archbishop Gallagher emphasized that dialogue must take place without abandoning “one’s own identity, but by opening oneself respectfully to the truth and the gifts present in the other.”
Building bridges for peace
Finally, the Church is called to be a peacemaker and a builder of bridges. This is a mission that Pope Leo himself entrusted to the Church at the beginning of his pontificate, speaking of “disarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering.”
“To build a bridge means recognizing the distance between two shores—the division, hatred and misunderstanding—and refusing to accept that this distance is insurmountable,” Archbishop Gallagher said.
He then asked for the intercession of the Mother of God, patroness of the Archdiocese, “that she may grant us the grace to contribute to building a world in which love, justice and peace reign.”
The Eucharistic Celebration
At the conclusion of his meeting with the clergy and religious men and women, Gallagher presided over a solemn Mass in Moscow’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, together with the Catholic Bishops of the country.
In the cathedral, which was filled with faithful, Archbishop Gallagher concelebrated with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giovanni d’Aniello, and the Nunciature Counselor, Monsignor Mislav Hodzic. Also concelebrating were Bishop Joseph Werth, Apostolic Administrator Bishop Nikolai Dubinin, and Bishop Stephan Lipke.
Being the salt of the earth
In an atmosphere of deep prayer and emotion, Archbishop Gallagher began his homily by conveying the Pope’s encouragement “to continue, with ever greater enthusiasm, along the journey of faith” of the Catholic community in the Russian Federation.
He then returned to the theme of building peace.
“Here with you, in this solemn celebration,” the Vatican official said, “the universal Church is represented: we come from different countries, cultures and histories, yet we are gathered here, in the heart of Moscow, as one family united by the same faith in God.”
The path of dialogue and peace
“Living the Gospel,” Archbishop Gallagher continued in his homily, “also means walking together for the common good along the main road of dialogue and peace.”
Authentic dialogue, he reiterated, recalling Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, “is never a compromise that erases one’s identity, but an encounter of hearts.”
The Gospel, he noted, urges us to tirelessly seek what unites us.
“Our social cooperation, our service to the poor, the sick, those who are lost, and those who suffer knows no confessional boundaries.”
In this way, Pope Leo XIV’s invitation, he reminded, is also fulfilled “to become true artisans of peace in our daily lives,” building “bridges of dialogue and understanding, disarming hearts and healing wounds through closeness, forgiveness and kindness.”
Continuing the mission
Finally, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher’s meeting with the Bishops continued with a fraternal meal offered in his honor at the premises of the Archdiocesan Curia.
At the conclusion of the gathering, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States encouraged the Bishops to continue their pastoral mission with ever-renewed enthusiasm.
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