Wednesday, 24 December 2008

"We are waiting for the manifestation of the Lord's Grace, which will put an end to occupation and injustice, freeing us from those fears, problems and internal divisions that afflict this land. We are waiting for the dawn of a new era, in which the sun of peace and justice will rise". Hopes in peace, as well as a denunciation of the evils that have been crushing the Holy Land for decades: this is the content of the Christmas message of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, mgr. Fouad Twal, which has been published in Jerusalem today. "Christmas is back - writes Twal - and finds us more prone to hope, due to the latest international meetings at the highest levels, among religious leaders as well as several promoters of peace. There has been a veritable improvement, based on the...
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Monday, 22 December 2008

Iraqi-Christian refugees who fled to Syria to escape from the sectarian violence of Iraqi fundamentalists will spend their Christmas in their parish. "Many are those who will gather in the churches of Damascus and Aleppo. The parish is their main reference point, a place in which they can express their identity and belonging, an Iraqi-Christian identity, a fundamental dimension for all those who, like them, are forced to live outside their country," declared to the SIR Mgr Antoine Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo. In their parish they can attend catechism, take part in celebrations and give their contribution. The Church is their home, and they live there with other Syrian faithful." The parish is giving them both material and spiritual care, assisted by the support of many...
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Monday, 15 December 2008

Pope Benedict said he was greatly encouraged by the significant steps made in relations with the Orthodox Churches Friday when he met with members of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity at the end of their Plenary Assembly. In his address to delegates, led by Council President Cardinal Walter Kasper, Pope Benedict highlighted what he described as a growing and "sincere spirit of friendship between Catholics and Orthodox". He mentioned the latest document published by the Mixed International Commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and Orthodox Church, which he said opens a "positive perspective of the relationship between the primacy and collegiality of the Church". This argument said pope Benedict is of "crucial importance in...
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