CONCERN FOR BROTHERS WHO LIVE IN THE HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, JUN 27, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II received at midday participants in the annual meeting of the Assembly of Works of Assistance to the Oriental Churches (ROACO).

"The special attention with which the Apostolic See follows developments of the situation in the Holy Land, and specifically, the prolongation of the state of tension in the Middle East, prompts me to recommend to your prayers our brothers in the faith who live there."

"I am sure," he continued, "that your effort, thanks also to the traditional collection for the Holy Land, will facilitate the arrival of concrete signs of Christian solidarity to the those martyred regions from the most diverse places in the world. In addition, I am convinced that you will discover in this charitable act grateful correspondence from the pastors and the faithful of the Oriental Catholic Churches and the Latin Community in the Holy Land."

The Holy Father reminded the members of ROACO that their mission was "to respond ever-more attentively and immediately to the urgent needs of the Oriental Catholic Churches, trying to opportunely involve the local communities. ... In this process which is so important," he concluded, "the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, which sustains the varied initiatives that you promote in the field of study, liturgy, in formative commitment and in pastoral projects, is along side you."

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