The Diocese of Faisalabad prays for peace in the Middle East
The bishop has organised weekly prayer meetings and seminars. Pope Francis also spoke today about the tragic situation in Gaza when he met with the participants in the Consulta of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. After 10 hours of fighting, Israel says it has taken control of areas in the north of the Strip.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) – The Diocese of Faisalabad is organising prayer meetings and seminars every Sunday to ask for peace between Gaza and Israel.
“I am deeply saddened to watch news of war between Israel and Palestine. I believe that war is the defeat of humanity. So, we strongly condemn the war anywhere in the world and call on the international community to resolve the issue,” said Bishop Indrias Rehmat during a meeting last week. “So many children have become orphans; parents have lost their children, and women have lost their loved ones,” lamented the prelate.
“We can feel the pain of the people on both sides. I call on the UN and religious leaders on both sides to come forward and play their role to end this war. War is not a solution to any problem, war itself is a problem, and countries should sit together and resolve their issues through peaceful dialogue.”
Pope Francis also spoke mournfully about Gaza again today during an audience with participants in the Consulta of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
"We are sadly witnessing a tragedy unfolding in the very places where the Lord lived, where He taught us through His humanity to love, to forgive, and to do good to all,” Francis said. “[I]nstead, we see them torn apart by tremendous suffering that affects so many innocents above all, so many innocent dead."
"Christianity, Judaism and Islam always begin their speeches with a greeting of peace,” said Fr Khalid Rashid Asi, diocesan director of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, speaking to AsiaNews.
“War, on the other hand, creates chaos, and generations will have to deal with its negative effects,” he added. “Pope Francis's message is for humanity. This world cannot bear any more wars, this world is a blessing from God and we should make it peaceful for every human being."
The situation in Gaza (and the West Bank) is the worst on record in decades, with Israel today claiming to have taken control of a Hamas stronghold in northern Gaza after a 10-hour battle.
The Jewish state also reported that 50,000 Palestinians have left the Gaza City area to head south via a single available road, while the Rafah crossing into Egypt continues to remain closed.
Meanwhile, the number of civilian deaths continues to rise. According to the Hamas-led Ministry of Health, more than 10,500 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 4,300 children.
Military operations and attacks by armed Jewish settlers have also increased in the West Bank. Over the past month, more Palestinians have been killed in the territory than in the past year, already the worst in the last two decades.
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07/02/2019 17:28
