Benedict XVI recalls his recent visit to the region, an opportunity to bring comfort to the Catholic Community and remind Christians of their “ecumenical and interfaith responsibility”. A thought for the Year for Priests and especially for priests who live "moments of difficulty and trial."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "No more war, no more violence, no more injustice in the Holy Land." It is both the “appeal and the prayer” launched today by Benedict XVI together with a renewed solidarity with Christians in the region, as he received the participants at the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO). In his speech, the Pope returned to the theme of the priesthood, with a special thought for the priests who "are experiencing times of difficulty and trial."  

With the ROACO, the Pope recalled his recent trip to the Holy Land during which, he said, "I had the opportunity to encourage and comfort the Catholic community, urging their members to persevere in their witness, a witness nourished by fidelity, celebration and moments of great suffering. I was also able to remind Christians in the region – he continued – of their ecumenical and inter-religious responsibility, in the spirit of Vatican II. I renew my prayer and my appeal so there be no more war, no more violence, no more injustice. I want to assure you - he emphasized - that the universal Church is at the side of all our brothers and sisters who live in the Holy Land. "   

Citing St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Co 13), Benedict XVI reiterated that "the Word of God tells us without ambiguity that which is ‘greatest’ for the Disciples of Christ: love. It is the bountiful source of all services of the Church, its measure, its method and its verification ". Hence his thanks and appreciation for all that ROACO does to help and support the Eastern Churches.  

"On many occasions - he said finally - I have stressed the importance of Education of the People of God, and even more now that we have just begun the Year for Priests, I would advise you to consider a priority the care of priests and the support of seminars. When, last Friday, on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I opened this special jubilee year, I entrusted to the Heart of Christ and the Immaculate Mother all priests in the world, with a special thought for those in the East and the West who are experiencing moments of difficulty and trial. I take this occasion - he concluded - to ask you to pray for priests. "

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