Vatican City, 24 October 2015 (VIS) –
During this morning's General Congregation, during Vespers for the
conclusion of the Synod, the Synod Fathers launched a new appeal for
peace and the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and
Ukraine, asking the international Community to act via diplomatic
channels and to engage in dialogue to end the suffering of thousands
of people. In the declaration, the full text of which is published
below, the Fathers make special reference to families compelled to
flee their homes, and give thanks to the countries that have welcomed
refugees.
“Gathered around the Holy Father
Francis, we the Synod Fathers, along with the fraternal Delegates and
Auditors participating in the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops, turn our thoughts to all the families of the Middle
East.
For years now, due to bloody conflicts,
they have been victims of unspeakable atrocities. Their conditions of
life have been further aggravated in recent months and weeks.
The use of weapons of mass destruction,
indiscriminate killings, beheadings, kidnapping of human beings,
trafficking in women, the enrolment of children into militias,
persecution on the basis of religious belief or ethnicity, the
destruction of cultural heritage and countless other atrocities have
forced thousands of families to flee their homes in search of refuge
elsewhere, often in conditions of extreme precariousness. Currently
they are prevented from returning and from exercising the right to
live in dignity and safety on their own soil, contributing to the
reconstruction and the material and spiritual well-being of their
respective countries.
In such a dramatic context, there are
continual violations of the fundamental principles of human dignity
and of peaceful and harmonious co-existence among persons and
peoples, of the most basic rights, such as the rights to life and
religious freedom, and of international humanitarian law.
Therefore, we wish to express our
closeness to the Patriarchs, the Bishops, the priests, consecrated
persons and faithful, as well as all the inhabitants of the Middle
East, to demonstrate our solidarity and to assure them of our
prayers. We think of all the people who have been kidnapped and ask
for their liberation. Our voices unite with the cry of so many
innocent people: no more violence, no more terrorism, no more
persecution! May the hostilities and weapons trafficking cease
immediately!
Peace in the Middle East must be sought
not with choices imposed by force, but rather with political
decisions that respect the cultural and religious particularities of
the individual Nations and their various components.
Although we are grateful especially to
Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and many European countries for the welcome
they have granted to refugees, we wish to make a further plea to the
international community so that in the search for solutions they set
aside particular interests and make use of the tools of diplomacy,
dialogue and international law.
Let us recall the words of Pope Francis
to 'all communities who look to Abraham: may we respect and love one
another as brothers and sisters! May we learn to understand the
sufferings of others! May no one abuse the name of God through
violence! May we work together for justice and peace!'.
We are convinced that peace is
possible, and that it is possible to stop the violence in Syria,
Iraq, Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land that every day involves
increasing numbers of families and innocent civilians and aggravates
the humanitarian crisis. Reconciliation is the fruit of fraternity,
justice, respect and forgiveness.
Our sole wish, like that of the people
of goodwill who form part of the great human family, is that we may
all live in peace, so that 'Jews, Christians and Muslims find in
other believers brothers and sisters to be respected and loved, and
in this way, beginning in their own lands, give the beautiful witness
of serenity and concord between the children of Abraham'.
Our thoughts and our prayers extend,
with equal concern, solicitude and love, to all the families that
find themselves involved in similar situations in other parts of the
world, especially in Africa and Ukraine. We have kept them in mind
during the work of this Synod Assembly, like the families of the
Middle East, and for them too make a strong plea for a return to a
calm and dignified life.
Let us entrust our intentions to the
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, accustomed to suffering, so
that the world may soon become one family of brothers and sisters”.
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