Monday, October 13, 2008

APPEALS FOR PEACE IN INDIA, CONGO AND IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, 12 OCT 2008 (VIS) - Following this morning's Mass during which he canonised the Blesseds Gaetano Errico, Maria Bernarda Butler, Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception and Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran, and before praying the Angelus, Benedict XVI greeted the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

  The Pope gave assurances of his prayers "during this difficult time" for Christians in India, homeland of Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception. "Commending to the providential care of Almighty God those who strive for peace and reconciliation", he said, "I urge the perpetrators of violence to renounce these acts and join with their brothers and sisters to work together in building a civilisation of love".

  He then called upon faithful from Colombia and Ecuador to continue "the example of coherence in faith and charity towards others" shown by Maria Bernarda Butler and Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran, so as "to invigorate the Christian roots of the people" and to build "a more just and united society".

  "At the crossroads of life's journey, we are invited to be bold witnesses of the Word of God so as to invite everyone we meet to the wedding feast of the Gospel" said the Holy Father to French pilgrims. To Polish faithful - who had come to Rome for the ceremony on the day Poland dedicates to celebrating the memory of John Paul II - he gave assurances of his support "for any initiative commemorating" his predecessor.

  Finally the Pope turned to address pilgrims from Italy, homeland of Gaetano Errico, praising "their constancy in praying the Rosary as a daily means of union with Jesus", and he invited them all "to pray for reconciliation and peace in certain situations that are causing great alarm and suffering" such as "that being experienced by the people of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo" and "the violence against Christians in Iraq and India".
ANG/.../...                                VIS 20081013 (330)


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