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POPE: SADDENED AND CONCERNED OVER SITUATION IN LEBANON AND ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST
AsiaNews
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l= en&art=13835&geo=1&size=A
Nov 24 2008
Italy
Meeting with Aram I, catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians, Benedict
XVI also speaks of the persecution against the Christians taking
place in the Middle East and "elsewhere." Progress along the path
of ecumenism, and the hope that the mixed commission will fruitfully
continue with its work.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The pope is "saddened" and "concerned"
over the situation in Lebanon and the entire Middle East, where the
conflicts continue and persecution against Christians is on the
rise. "Only when the countries involved can determine their own
destiny, and the various ethnic groups and religious communities
accept and respect each other fully, will peace be built on the solid
foundations of solidarity, justice and respect for the legitimate
rights of individuals and peoples."
The visit to the Vatican by Aram I, catholicos of Cilicia of the
Armenians, located in Antelias, near Beirut, gave Benedict XVI the
opportunity to express the "deep concern" of the Holy See for Lebanon
and the entire Middle East - where "tensions and conflicts continue
to frustrate all efforts to foster reconciliation and peace at every
level of civil and political life" - but also to emphasize the progress
in the journey of ecumenism.
Having recalled the positive role played by the see of Cilicia in the
dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox, "we must be hopeful that
this dialogue will continue to move forward, since it promises to
clarify theological issues which have divided us in the past but now
appear open to greater consensus." "I am confident," he continued,
"that the current work of the International Commission - devoted to
the theme: 'The Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church' -
will enable many of the specific issues of our theological dialogue
to find their proper context and resolution."
"Surely the growth in understanding, respect and cooperation which has
emerged from ecumenical dialogue promises much for the proclamation
of the Gospel in our time."
The pope finally recalled the "unspeakable suffering" that the Armenian
people have experienced in the twentieth century, as the culmination
of their Christian testimony.
At the end of the meeting, held in the Sala dei Papi, Benedict XVI
and Aram I presided over an ecumenical celebration in the "Redemptoris
Mater" chapel in the apostolic palace.
The visit of Aram I to the Vatican - where he went in 1997 for
a meeting with John Paul II (in the photo) - will include another
meeting with the pope, on Wednesday, and a series of events including
a visit to the basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, a prayer
meeting at Santa Maria in Trastevere, the celebration of vespers in
the church of San Bartolomeo on the Isola Tiberina, dedicated to the
martyrs of the twentieth century, conversations with Vatican leaders,
from Cardinal Bertone to Cardinal Kasper to Cardinal Tauran, and a
lecture at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, on Tuesday, on the
topic "The Christians in the Middle East."
AsiaNews
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l= en&art=13835&geo=1&size=A
Nov 24 2008
Italy
Meeting with Aram I, catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians, Benedict
XVI also speaks of the persecution against the Christians taking
place in the Middle East and "elsewhere." Progress along the path
of ecumenism, and the hope that the mixed commission will fruitfully
continue with its work.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The pope is "saddened" and "concerned"
over the situation in Lebanon and the entire Middle East, where the
conflicts continue and persecution against Christians is on the
rise. "Only when the countries involved can determine their own
destiny, and the various ethnic groups and religious communities
accept and respect each other fully, will peace be built on the solid
foundations of solidarity, justice and respect for the legitimate
rights of individuals and peoples."
The visit to the Vatican by Aram I, catholicos of Cilicia of the
Armenians, located in Antelias, near Beirut, gave Benedict XVI the
opportunity to express the "deep concern" of the Holy See for Lebanon
and the entire Middle East - where "tensions and conflicts continue
to frustrate all efforts to foster reconciliation and peace at every
level of civil and political life" - but also to emphasize the progress
in the journey of ecumenism.
Having recalled the positive role played by the see of Cilicia in the
dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox, "we must be hopeful that
this dialogue will continue to move forward, since it promises to
clarify theological issues which have divided us in the past but now
appear open to greater consensus." "I am confident," he continued,
"that the current work of the International Commission - devoted to
the theme: 'The Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church' -
will enable many of the specific issues of our theological dialogue
to find their proper context and resolution."
"Surely the growth in understanding, respect and cooperation which has
emerged from ecumenical dialogue promises much for the proclamation
of the Gospel in our time."
The pope finally recalled the "unspeakable suffering" that the Armenian
people have experienced in the twentieth century, as the culmination
of their Christian testimony.
At the end of the meeting, held in the Sala dei Papi, Benedict XVI
and Aram I presided over an ecumenical celebration in the "Redemptoris
Mater" chapel in the apostolic palace.
The visit of Aram I to the Vatican - where he went in 1997 for
a meeting with John Paul II (in the photo) - will include another
meeting with the pope, on Wednesday, and a series of events including
a visit to the basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, a prayer
meeting at Santa Maria in Trastevere, the celebration of vespers in
the church of San Bartolomeo on the Isola Tiberina, dedicated to the
martyrs of the twentieth century, conversations with Vatican leaders,
from Cardinal Bertone to Cardinal Kasper to Cardinal Tauran, and a
lecture at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, on Tuesday, on the
topic "The Christians in the Middle East."