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Skriven 2007-06-22 06:59:14 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                               VIS-Press releases

POPE RECALLS LEADERS' RESPONSIBILITY TO GUARANTEE PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2007 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received
participants in the annual Meeting of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches
(ROACO), telling them that he shared their "pain and concern for the delicate
situation affecting vast areas of the Middle East."

"Peace," said the Pope, "becomes even more fragile because of injustices, old
and new. Thus it is extinguished altogether and gives way to violence which
often degenerates into more or less open war until it ends up, as in our own
time, as an urgent international problem."

"I appeal to the hearts of those who have specific responsibilities, that they
may accept the vital duty of guaranteeing peace for everyone, without
distinction, freeing [peace] from the mortal illness of religious, cultural,
historical or geographical discrimination."

Benedict XVI repeated his assurances that "the Holy Land, Iraq and Lebanon are
present, with the urgency and constancy they deserve, in the prayers and
activities of the Apostolic See and of the entire Church." He also called on
the Congregation for Oriental Churches and its associated institutions to
ensure that their "intervention in favor of so many of our brothers and sisters
becomes more incisive."

To His Beatitude Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, who
was present at the audience, the Pope renewed his condolences "for the
barbarous killing of a defenseless priest and three sub-deacons in Iraq at the
end of Sunday liturgy on June 3. The entire Church accompanies all her sons and
daughters with affection and admiration, and supports them at this time of true
martyrdom in the name of Christ."

The Holy Father thanked members of ROACO for their collaboration with the
Congregation for Oriental Churches, encouraging them to continue their
endeavors, "so that the priceless support you give to the witness of ecclesial
charity may be fully developed in the community. ... Teamwork and collaboration
is always a guarantee of a more ordered and evenhanded service."

"As we appeal to the Lord to speed the day of full unity among Christians, and
the long-awaited moment of serene inter-religious coexistence animated by
mutual respect, we ask Him to bless our efforts and to illuminate us so that
what we do is never to the detriment but always to the advantage of the
ecclesial community. May He make us attentive so that, rejecting all forms of
indifference, we never forget, in exercising charity, the mission of the local
Catholic community."

Benedict XVI concluded his talk by highlighting how "in prayer we will always
find the true source of commitment to charity, and in prayer we will verify its
authenticity."
AC/.../ROACOVIS 070621 (450)

SUMMARY

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