VATICAN CITY, 2 MAR 2008 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today, Benedict XVI launched an appeal for the release of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mossul of the Chaldeans, Iraq, who was kidnapped last Friday.
"I join the appeal made by the patriarch, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, and his collaborators", said the Pope, "that the beloved prelate, who is also in delicate health, may be promptly released. At the same time I raise a pray for the souls of the three young men who were with him at the moment of his kidnapping and were killed. Furthermore, I express my closeness to all the Church in Iraq and in particular to the Chaldean Church, which has suffered another serious blow, as I encourage pastors and faithful to remain strong and firm in hope. May those who control the destiny of the beloved people of Iraq increase their efforts ... to ensure that [Iraqis] may rediscover peace and security and not be denied the future to which they have the right".
The Pope then went on to recall how over the last few days "tension between Israel and the Gaza Strip has reached very serious levels.
"I renew my urgent appeal to the authorities, both Israeli and Palestinian, to stop this spiral of violence, unilaterally and unconditionally. Only by showing absolute respect for human life, even that of the enemy, can we hope to give a future of peace and coexistence to the young generations of those peoples who both have their roots in that Holy Land. I invite the entire Church to raise prayers to the Almighty for peace in the land of Jesus and to show attentive and effective solidarity to both peoples, Israeli and Palestinian".
Finally, the Holy Father referred to the recent discovery of the corpses of two young Italian brothers who disappeared from their home more than a year ago. "A very sad end", he said, "that affected me deeply as it did many people. I wish to take this opportunity to launch a cry in support of childhood: Let us look after our little ones! We must love them and help them to grow. I say this to parents, but also to institutions. In launching this appeal, my thoughts go to children all over the world, and especially to the most defenceless, exploited and abused. I entrust each child to the heart of Jesus Who said: 'Let the little children come to me'".
ANG/IRAQ HOLY LAND CHILDHOOD/... VIS 20080303 (420)
"I join the appeal made by the patriarch, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, and his collaborators", said the Pope, "that the beloved prelate, who is also in delicate health, may be promptly released. At the same time I raise a pray for the souls of the three young men who were with him at the moment of his kidnapping and were killed. Furthermore, I express my closeness to all the Church in Iraq and in particular to the Chaldean Church, which has suffered another serious blow, as I encourage pastors and faithful to remain strong and firm in hope. May those who control the destiny of the beloved people of Iraq increase their efforts ... to ensure that [Iraqis] may rediscover peace and security and not be denied the future to which they have the right".
The Pope then went on to recall how over the last few days "tension between Israel and the Gaza Strip has reached very serious levels.
"I renew my urgent appeal to the authorities, both Israeli and Palestinian, to stop this spiral of violence, unilaterally and unconditionally. Only by showing absolute respect for human life, even that of the enemy, can we hope to give a future of peace and coexistence to the young generations of those peoples who both have their roots in that Holy Land. I invite the entire Church to raise prayers to the Almighty for peace in the land of Jesus and to show attentive and effective solidarity to both peoples, Israeli and Palestinian".
Finally, the Holy Father referred to the recent discovery of the corpses of two young Italian brothers who disappeared from their home more than a year ago. "A very sad end", he said, "that affected me deeply as it did many people. I wish to take this opportunity to launch a cry in support of childhood: Let us look after our little ones! We must love them and help them to grow. I say this to parents, but also to institutions. In launching this appeal, my thoughts go to children all over the world, and especially to the most defenceless, exploited and abused. I entrust each child to the heart of Jesus Who said: 'Let the little children come to me'".
ANG/IRAQ HOLY LAND CHILDHOOD/... VIS 20080303 (420)
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