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May 18 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II. This year, in April, it was the 15th anniversary of the death of John Paul II.
On the occasion of the jubilee of the birth of the Pope so dear to the Polish people and for whom Albania and Albanians were very close, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tirana had the honor to donate two sculptures of the head of St. John Paul II, produced by the master Mumtas Dhrami.
One of the two sculptures was given the church of St. John Paul II in Bathore – exactly where the world’s first church named St. John Paul II is dedicated just days after the Pope’s consecration and where the relics of the Saint are found. The second sculpture, thanks to the kindness, friendship and positivity of Archbishop G. Frendo, found a place at the Catholic Cathedral of Tirana, right next to the altar of St. Mary, so dear to the Polish people and Pope John Paul II, who for the motifs of His Pontifical chose the words “Totus Tuus” (Maria).
A few months after the decision to open EU negotiations with Albania and a few weeks after the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Zagreb, it is worth to remember that St. John Paul II called tirelessly for the Europeanism of the entire continent. During his Pontifical He spoke of the two lungs of Europe which would enable the old continent to breathe fully. In the life of St. John Paul II this second lung was in the east of the continent, while today it has been relocated here, in the Western Balkans.
In these two simple ceremonies, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Tirana, Karol Bachura was accompanied by the Chairwoman of the Cult Committee, Mrs. Loreta Aliko. On this occasion, Ambassador Bachura underlined, among other things that the fight for human dignity in all its aspects has always been at the center of the activity of St. John Paul II. From them, as from the trunk of the Christian roots of the continent, new branches sprouted: dialogue, freedom and truth, justice and love.
In today’s demonic conditions of the loss of values on which the contaminated breath with COVID-19 releases its dark shadow, the battle for human dignity and the protection of humanity is omnipresent in every situation. Therefore, as a Pole, but also as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Tirana, I have chosen the leitmotif words of the Holy Father’s pilgrimage to Poland three decades ago: “Do not quench the spirit!” Nowadays, I appeal to see the future with hope, to keep the spirit alive, to increase empathy, solidarity and respect for the dignity of others. Such an approach will allow anyone to find a variety of reasons to do well.
At the same time, I thank all those who are on the front lines of the combat with the virus: doctors, nurses, all health personnel, the police and the army, but also all those who try to provide us with the threads of “normalcy” in these extraordinary times – public service workers. Water- supply and sewerage, energy supply, personnel of commercial units, pharmacies, banks, but also the administration – I send a big thank you to everyone! I thank the journalists for the truthful information. I thank all those who invest wholeheartedly in the political, religious and interpersonal dialogue.
On the way to the future we should not step away from trouble. They are necessary. In a way, they have to do with the very essence of transformations, as they should happen to ourselves, but also around us.
“Do not quench the spirit!” also means: do not allow yourself to be enslaved by various currents of materialism that diminishes the overview of values – which also belittles the man himself as such. Let us not forget that truth is the source of true freedom and genuine human dignity. Let us not be afraid, let us not fear. This hardship of the last month of life in isolation, anxiety and insecurity will help to enliven the truth of the appeal: “Do not quench the spirit! Keep the spirit alive!
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