US Iran crisis: We need to look
to hope amid trials, says Cardinal Turkson
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| Cardinal Peter Turkson |
As the killing of a powerful Iranian military commander
marks a major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, the Prefect of
the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Peter Turkson
says that despite a sad start to the year, peace is rooted in the virtue of
hope.
By Vatican News
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated
significantly after a top Iranian military commander, General Qasem
Soleimani, was killed early Friday in a US air strike in
Iraq. General Soleimani was head of the Quds Force, tasked with operating
beyond Iran's borders.
Heartbreaking start to the New Year
Speaking about the major escalation in tensions between the
US and Iran, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human
Development, Cardinal Peter Turkson said, “it’s very sad and heartbreaking that
very shortly into the New Year which we began with such enthusiasm; such
hopefulness for peace and tranquility, we have to greet and receive news of
violence and war in other parts of the world.”
He told Vatican News’ Amadeo Lomonaco that for Christians,
“we know that our Saviour and our leader was born into such situations.”
He went on to say that, “while we speak peace, there are
still forces in the world… that will speak violence to us, and it is only when
we hold on to the hand of the Lord himself, the Prince of Peace that we
are able to overcome all of these obstacles.”
Peace requires patience
Asked about Pope Francis January 1st message
marking the World Day of Peace, Cardinal Turkson recalled that the Pope
invites people to look at peace as a journey. “Peace requires a lot of
patience” said the Cardinal. He went on to say that it also requires “a lot of
trials and a lot of struggles”. But he added, these struggles are rooted in the
great virtue of hope, “which is rooted in the fact that the reality of peace is
being introduced into the world by Jesus, the Prince of Peace.”
More on the U.S. attack in Iran
The overnight attack, which also killed top Iraqi militia
commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was ordered by U.S.
President Donald Trump. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said the strike
aimed to disrupt an "imminent attack" that would have put Americans
in the Middle East in danger. This attack followed a sharp increase in
longrunning U.S.-Iranian hostilities. Just last week pro-Iranian militiamen
attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq. Washington also blamed Tehran for
earlier raids on Gulf shipping.
The U.S. embassy in Baghdad advised all American citizens to
leave Iraq immediately. U.S. allies in Europe, including Britain, France and
Germany, voiced concerns about an escalation in tension with British Foreign
Minister Dominic Raab on Friday, urging all parties to de-escalate.
“Further conflict is in none of our interests," he said.
Reacting to the air strike, Iran's Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals"
behind the attack.
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