Pope: Synod of the Middle East making politicians aware
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Synod on the Middle East next October, as well as being an "gathering" of all Catholic groups in the region, will seek to raise "the attention of other actors in the global society, especially among those in public life, who are called to work with continued commitment so that region can overcome situations of conflict and suffering that still afflict it and finally find peace with justice". This realistic, but up until now unexpressed goal of the Synod, was clearly stated today by Benedict XVI. In referring to his trip to Cyprus, he indicated in the Synod and ecumenism, as well as an encouragement for the local Catholic community, the objectives of his visit.
On a hot and sunny day that prompted the Pope to wear a broad-brimmed hat (pictured) for the ride through the throngs of over 20 thousand people attending the general audience, Benedict XVI said that the visit was "historic, because , until now a bishop of Rome had never travelled to that blessed land”, it went "very well, because its gaols were achieved".
First to "strengthen the faith of Catholic communities, a small but vibrant minority, and encourage them to pursue the path towards full unity among Christians, especially with our Orthodox brethren. At the same time, I wanted to embrace all peoples in the Middle East and bless them in the name of the Lord, asking God for the gift of peace. "
Retracing the steps of the journey, the Pope recalled the city of Paphos "a perceptible synthesis of more than two thousand years of Christian history." In the church of Agia Kiriaki Chrysopolitissa, a "place of Orthodox worship that is also open to Catholics and Anglicans" "a moving ecumenical service" took place. On that occasion, "with the Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II and representatives of the Armenian, Lutheran and Anglican Communities, we renewed our mutual fraternal and irreversible commitment to ecumenism."
The Pope repeatedly thanked the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, stressing that "rootedness in tradition does not prevent the Orthodox community from being firmly committed to ecumenical dialogue together with the Catholic community both animated by a sincere desire to rebuild the full and visible communion between the Churches of East and West”.
The next stop in Nicosia, meeting with the diplomatic corps "I reiterated the importance of establishing positive law based on the ethical principles of natural law, to promote moral truth in public life. It 'was an appeal to reason, based on ethical principles and charged with demanding implications for society today, which often fails to recognize the very cultural tradition it is founded on".
Meetings with the Catholic community, the Pope recalled the "party" at the school in Saint Maron. "To all, Maronites and Latins I assured my remembrance in prayer, encouraging them to witness the Gospel also through the patient work of mutual trust between Christians and non Christians to build a lasting peace and harmony between peoples".
A call for "trust and hope" repeated during the Mass with priests and religious. "Starting from a reflection on the mystery of the Cross, then I made a heartfelt appeal to all Catholics in the Middle East that, despite great trials and well-known difficulties, they will not yield to discouragement and the temptation to emigrate, since their presence in that region is a vital sign of hope. "
"Definitely the highlight of the trip" was the delivery of the Synod Instrumentum laboris which took place during Mass on June 6, Nicosia. On that occasion, he recalled, "we prayed for the soul of the late Bishop. Luigi Padovese", whose"sudden and tragic death has left us saddened and dismayed". The theme of that Assembly for the Middle East, which will take place next October in Rome, speaks of communion and openness to hope: "The Catholic Church in the Middle East: communion and witness." The important event is in fact a gathering of the Catholic Christianity from the region in its various rites, but at the same time as a renewed search for dialogue and courage for the future. Therefore, it will be accompanied by the prayerful affection of the whole Church, in whose heart the Middle East occupies a special place, because that is where God revealed himself to our ancestors in faith. However, the attention of other protagonists of global society will not be lacking, especially among those in the public life, who are called to work with a constant commitment so the region can overcome situations of conflict and suffering that still afflict it and finally find peace in justice”.
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