VATICAN CITY, 1 JAN 2011 (VIS) - Following this morning's Mass celebrated in the Vatican Basilica, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to address faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square for the first Angelus of 2011.
The Holy Father remarked how "on this day the Church invokes the gift of peace from God through Jesus Christ. It is the World Day of Peace, an appropriate occasion to reflect together on the great challenges our age places before humankind.
"One of these challenges, which has become dramatically pressing over these days is that of religious freedom", he added. "Today we are witnessing two opposing tendencies, two equally negative extremes: on the one hand laicism which deviously seeks to marginalise religion and confine it to the private sphere and, on the other, fundamentalism which seeks to impose it on everyone by use of force".
"Wherever religious freedom is effectively recognised the dignity of the human being is respected at its roots and, through a sincere search for truth and goodness, moral conscience is fortified and the institutions of civil coexistence strengthened. For this reason religious freedom is the highway to follow to build peace".
"By looking to the One Who is the 'Prince of peace' we understand that peace cannot be achieved by arms, nor through economic, political, cultural or media power. Peace is the work of consciences which open to truth and love. May God help us to continue along this path in the new year He has granted us to live".
After praying the Angelus, the Pope recalled that his message for the World Day of Peace had highlighted how "the great religions can represent an important factor for the unity and peace of the human family. In this context", he said, "I also noted that the year 2011 will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace which the Venerable John Paul II called in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. For this reason, in the coming month of October, I will make a pilgrimage to the town of St. Francis, inviting my Christian brethren of different confessions, leaders of the world's religious traditions and, in their hearts, all men and women of good will, to join me on this journey in order to commemorate that important historical gesture of my predecessor, and solemnly to renew the commitment of believers of all religions to live their religious faith as a service to the cause of peace. Those who are journeying towards God cannot fail to transmit peace; those who build peace cannot fail to move towards God. I invite you, even now, to support this initiative with your prayers".
ANG/ VIS 20110103 (460)
The Holy Father remarked how "on this day the Church invokes the gift of peace from God through Jesus Christ. It is the World Day of Peace, an appropriate occasion to reflect together on the great challenges our age places before humankind.
"One of these challenges, which has become dramatically pressing over these days is that of religious freedom", he added. "Today we are witnessing two opposing tendencies, two equally negative extremes: on the one hand laicism which deviously seeks to marginalise religion and confine it to the private sphere and, on the other, fundamentalism which seeks to impose it on everyone by use of force".
"Wherever religious freedom is effectively recognised the dignity of the human being is respected at its roots and, through a sincere search for truth and goodness, moral conscience is fortified and the institutions of civil coexistence strengthened. For this reason religious freedom is the highway to follow to build peace".
"By looking to the One Who is the 'Prince of peace' we understand that peace cannot be achieved by arms, nor through economic, political, cultural or media power. Peace is the work of consciences which open to truth and love. May God help us to continue along this path in the new year He has granted us to live".
After praying the Angelus, the Pope recalled that his message for the World Day of Peace had highlighted how "the great religions can represent an important factor for the unity and peace of the human family. In this context", he said, "I also noted that the year 2011 will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace which the Venerable John Paul II called in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. For this reason, in the coming month of October, I will make a pilgrimage to the town of St. Francis, inviting my Christian brethren of different confessions, leaders of the world's religious traditions and, in their hearts, all men and women of good will, to join me on this journey in order to commemorate that important historical gesture of my predecessor, and solemnly to renew the commitment of believers of all religions to live their religious faith as a service to the cause of peace. Those who are journeying towards God cannot fail to transmit peace; those who build peace cannot fail to move towards God. I invite you, even now, to support this initiative with your prayers".
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Not all religions "live their religious faith as a service to the cause of peace" nor do they journey "towards God" for "all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens." PS. 95,5 For there is but ONE TRUE God who is Triune God - Father Son and Holy Spirit!
ReplyDeleteanother modern heresy. NOt everybody be saved if you are outside the catholic church, Benedict XVI should concentrate of his church and rooted out the abuses of the clergy and abuses on the liturgy.
ReplyDeleteGod of already badly offend.
...dan.8:23-25 clearly states the flanking maneuver the beast undergo-peace shall destroy many..how can peace destroy-we all are aiming for it. as prophecy speaks and how the events are fulfilling they are now appealing for peace...be aware not to be hooked up by the destroying peace.search for the truth and leave with it.Jesus glorious coming is very near than we believed.
ReplyDelete