VATICAN CITY, JUN 6, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message by the Pope addressed to Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, on the centenary of the consecration of the republic to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
John Paul II recalls in the message, dated May 9, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, that upon consecrating the country on June 22, 1902 to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, "they promised also to build a votive temple where they could pray for peace for the nation."
The Pope writes: "The consecration of the men and women of Colombia which you are preparing to renew, following that praiseworthy tradition strengthened for 100 years, must mean a singular moment of grace and total commitment. In effect, it must be an ardent petition to the Lord to renew all of Colombian society in order that it may act with a new heart and spirit."
The Pope underlines that "a society that listens to and follows the message of Christ walks toward authentic peace, rejects any form of violence and creates new ways of coexistence on the safe and solid path of justice, reconciliation and forgiveness, fostering bonds of unity, fraternity and respect for all."
He concluded by saying: "I fervently wish that this commemoration - which unfortunately is taking place at a time in which your nation has not yet achieved stable interior peace and in which violence continues to claim victims in all levels of society, even shepherds of the Church - may be an occasion for everyone ... to take a step toward a great national movement of reconciliation and peace. May it also be a moment to ask God for the gift of peace and for everyone to commit themselves, from their own place in society, to lay the groundwork for the moral and material reconstruction of your national community."
MESS;SACRED HEART OF JESUS;...;COLOMBIA; GIRALDO;VIS;20020606;Word: 330;
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