WELCOME TO THE VICARIATE APOSTOLIC OF KUWAIT
PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE
Kuwait, July 23, 2006
"War has never solved problems; on the contrary, Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The true and constant peace of Jesus Christ be with you!
This evening we have gathered in this church to pray together for peace in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Iraq and in the whole world, and for those suffering and dying every day on account of the violence and destruction of war. We believe that God the Creator, who is the Lord of life and death, wants that all people live as one family, enjoying justice and freedom, and whose Constitution is only one: Love!
We read in the Holy Bible that, Jesus Christ, during his public life on earth, "went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil" (Acts 10,38). A few days ago, the power of evil has manifested itself in a horrifying and painful way. Unjust attacks, violent hostilities, brutal and destructive war are taking people without mercy and moderation, trampling upon human rights, divine laws, justice and equality. Homes and families are destroyed in Lebanon, Gaza and Haifa, and in both the areas, people are scattered and bombs and missiles threaten their lives. Unfortunately, children are sometimes the worst victims of these massacres. Why must they pay the price for this war waged by adults? The cruelty of war to these innocent young ones is like a ferocious vulture that devours them daily in Lebanon, Gaza, Haifa and Iraq! Children are fifty percent of the victims of such aggressions! Those who escape from death have to face unending problems of dispersion and must endure an even greater risk to life: lack of medicines, health care, food and water. People are forced to live in small shelters because of these attacks launched by rival groups.
What can we say in front of this stage of death? Jesus Christ teaches us through the Apostle Peter who tried to use violence in Gethsemane: "Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." (Mt 26,52). What He meant was, don't use violence because violence in return kills you! Above all, Jesus Christ teaches us that His disciples should love their enemies. He said: "You have heard how it was said: You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you …For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even the tax collectors do as much." (Mt 5,43.46)
The words of Jesus about non-violence are confirmed by the experience of mankind since the very beginning of its history. War has never solved any problems, on the contrary, it has left behind hatred, more violence and divisions among people and nations. Therefore, we have to support, as Pope Benedict XVI said, the communiqué of the G-8 which called Israel, the Palestinians and the armed branch of Hezbollah to stop the attacks and to release those who are detained by their respective sides. Pope Benedict XVI has asked for "an immediate cease-fire between the sides; for humanitarian corridors to be opened in order to bring help to the suffering peoples. and for reasonable and responsible negotiations to begin in order to put an end to situations of injustice that exist in that region." He also said that "the Lebanese have the right to see the integrity and sovereignty of their country respected, just as the Israelis have the right to live in peace in their State, and the Palestinians have the right to have their own free and sovereign homeland."
We know that neither the attacks nor the killing, nor the imprisonment, nor the reprisal can bring us peace! They bring us only despair and death. It is necessary therefore, that all countries should make every diplomatic effort to stop the noise of the weapons and to bring the rival groups to the table for negotiations. I invite all the ambassadors who have come to participate in today's prayer service to remind their respective countries about the urgent need for peace and about doing their part in stopping the war in the area.
At the same time, I would like to remind all that there can be no step towards peace if we don't pray with all our heart! Only God is the source of true peace! Therefore, Pope Benedict XVI has invited Catholics all over the World to pray and fast today for peace in the Middle East. Only God is able to change the heart and the mind of the belligerents. So, we have to pray with deep confidence that He gives peace and understanding to those in the midst of conflict, eternal rest to those who lost their lives, consolation and a spirit of forgiveness to their families, patience to all concerned and peace - based on justice to every nation!"
Jesus Christ, even today, is near every person injured in body and spirit; to console them and to put hope in their hearts and lives, just as He did during His public life, like the good Samaritan. Let us, therefore, put our lives in the hands of Jesus, because He is the 'Prince of Peace'! He said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be recognized as children of God." (Mt 5,9)
Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you for coming here today. I have tried to express to you the heart and mind of the Catholic Church on what is happening presently in the Middle East. May God bless each and everyone of you who work every day to make life better for all.
it has left behind hatred, more violence and divisions
among people and nations," says Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI
"Jesus then said to Peter: Put your sword back,
for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." (Mt 26,52)
Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI
Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait
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