Pope
calls for peaceful solution to wars in Syria and Iraq
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis has called for a peaceful solution to the conflicts in
Syria and Iraq.
Speaking
on Thursday morning to participants of a meeting in the Vatican on the
Iraqi-Syrian humanitarian crisis, the Pope points out that “the international
community seems unable to find adequate solutions while the arms dealers
continue to achieve their interests”.
The
meeting, promoted by The Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” is attended by Catholic
charities that are active in the Middle East and by the bishops of the region.
Describing
the consequences of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria as “one of the most
overwhelming human tragedies of recent decades, the Pope says that “Millions of
people are in distressing state of urgent need”.
He
highlights the particularly cruel predicament of Christians in the war-torn
nations “where many brothers and sisters are oppressed because of their
faith, driven from their land, kept in prison or even killed”.
Pointing
out that today’s media broadcasts live the images and the stories pertaining to
the catastrophe, Francis said: “No one can pretend not to know! Everyone is
aware that this war weighs in an increasingly unbearable way on the shoulders
of the poor. We need to find a solution, which is never a violent one, because
violence only creates new wounds”.
Please
find below the full text of the Pope’s Address to Participants of the Meeting
on the Iraqi-Syrian Humanitarian Crisis:
Dear
Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you very much for your participation in this meeting of sharing between the charitable organizations and the local Churches. I am grateful for the assistance brought to the victims of the crisis in Syria, Iraq and neighboring countries, as well as for the comfort that your presence and your work inspire in those who suffer. I also think of many other organizations that are working in this context. I greet all of you, Bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful, along with a special thought for Mr. Steven O’Brien, the Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations. I greet Monsignor Dal Toso and thank the Pontifical Council Cor Unum for consistently following this humanitarian crisis, which challenges us all.
Thank you very much for your participation in this meeting of sharing between the charitable organizations and the local Churches. I am grateful for the assistance brought to the victims of the crisis in Syria, Iraq and neighboring countries, as well as for the comfort that your presence and your work inspire in those who suffer. I also think of many other organizations that are working in this context. I greet all of you, Bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful, along with a special thought for Mr. Steven O’Brien, the Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations. I greet Monsignor Dal Toso and thank the Pontifical Council Cor Unum for consistently following this humanitarian crisis, which challenges us all.
One
of the most overwhelming human tragedies of recent decades are the terrible
consequences that the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have on civilian populations
as well as on cultural heritage. Millions of people are in distressing state of
urgent need. They are forced to leave their native lands. Lebanon, Jordan and
Turkey today carry the weight of millions of refugees, which they have
generously received. Faced with such a situation and conflicts that are
expanding and disturbing in an alarming way the internal and regional
equilibrium, the international community seems unable to find adequate
solutions while the arms dealers continue to achieve their interests. With arms
that are covered in the blood of innocent people.
Yet,
today, unlike in the past, atrocities and unspeakable human rights violations,
which characterize these conflicts, are transmitted live by the media.
Therefore, they captured the attention of the whole world. No one can pretend
not to know! Everyone is aware that this war weighs in an increasingly
unbearable way on the shoulders of the poor. We need to find a solution, which
is never a violent one, because violence only creates new wounds.
In
this ocean of pain, I urge you to give special attention to the material and
spiritual needs of the weakest and most defenseless: I think particularly of
the families, the elderly, the sick and the children. Children and young
people, the hope of the future, are deprived of basic rights: to grow up in the
serenity of the family, to be looked after and cared for, to play and study.
With the continuation of the conflict, millions of children are deprived of the
right to education and, consequently, they see the horizon of their future
becoming obscured. Do not miss your commitment in this vital area.
There
are many victims of this conflict: I think in all of them and I pray for all.
However, I cannot fail to mention the serious harm to the Christian communities
in Syria and Iraq, where many brothers and sisters are oppressed because of
their faith, driven from their land, kept in prison or even killed. For
centuries, the Christian and Muslim communities have lived together in these
lands on the basis of mutual respect. Today the very legitimacy of the presence
of Christians and other religious minorities is denied in the name of a
“violent fundamentalism claiming to be based on religion” (Benedict XVI Apost.
Exhort. Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, n. 29). Yet, the Church responds to the many
attacks and persecution that she suffers in those countries by bearing witness
to Christ with courage, through her humble and fervent presence, sincere
dialogue and the generous service in favor of whoever that are suffering or in
need without any distinction.
In
Syria and Iraq, evil destroys buildings and infrastructures, but especially the
conscience of man. In the name of Jesus, who came into the world to heal the
wounds of humanity, the Church feels called to respond to evil with good by
promoting an integral human development of “each man and of the whole man”
(Populorum Progressio, n. 14). To answer this difficult call, Catholics must
strengthen the intra-ecclesial collaboration and the bonds of communion, which
unite them with other Christian communities, seeking also cooperation with
international humanitarian institutions and with all men of good will. I
encourage you, therefore, to continue on the path of cooperation and sharing,
and working together and in synergy. Please: do not abandon the victims of this
crisis, even if the world’s attention were to lessen.
I
ask that you all bring my message of profound solidarity and closeness to those
who are in trial and enduring the tragic consequences of this crisis. In
communion with you and with your communities, I pray unceasingly for peace and
the end of the torments and injustices in your beloved lands.
(Linda Bordoni)
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