Text 1592, 41 rader
Skriven 2006-07-25 23:24:30 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
===================================================
Hello All!

                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

TESTIMONY TO GOD'S VICTORY THROUGH NON-VIOLENCE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2006 (VIS) - This afternoon, Benedict XVI travelled to
the small church of Rhemes Saint Georges, a few kilometers from Les Combes, the
Italian alpine resort where he is spending a brief holiday. There he
participated in the day of prayer and penance for peace between Lebanon and
Israel.

The Pope arrived at the church in the company of Bishop Giuseppe Anfossi of
Aosta, and greeted the faithful gathered there. Following the liturgy of the
Word, the Holy Father referred to "the dramatic situation in the Middle East
... where war persists between Christians, Muslims and Jews." He exclaimed:
"Lord, free us from all evil and grant us peace; not tomorrow or the day after,
grant us peace today!"

Benedict XVI highlighted the importance of the Christian perspective as a way
"to end violence and overcome evil. ... At this time, in which there is great
abuse of the name of God," he added, "we must affirm that the cross wins by
love, affirming [also] the countenance of God which triumphs and brings light
and reconciliation to the world. ... We need the testimony of God's victory
though non-violence."

"Violence must be answered with love like that of Christ, that reaches unto
death," he concluded. "This is God's humble way of winning, not with a stronger
empire but with love that endures to the very end. ... Jesus' reconciliation
and sacrifice are not in vain. ... There is a network of Eucharistic communion
that overcomes cultural differences. ... This is the force for peace in the
world."
BXVI-VISIT/DAY PEACE MIDDLE EAST/RHEMES VIS 060724 (270)

SUMMARY

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)