Pope remembers missionary martyrs, TB victims on Easter Monday

(March 24, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI on Easter Monday remembered martyred missionaries around the world, hoping their sacrifice will be a stimulus for Christians in the practice of their faith. The Pope recalled the slain missionaries during the midday ‘Regina Coeli’ prayer on the Commemoration of Missionary Martyrs, and annual event marked on March 24 in memory of the killing of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of San Salvador. Italy observes the day with prayer vigils and fasting at which many young people participate. The Pope was speaking to a large crowd that had gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence of Castelgandolfo, just outside Rome, where he is gone for a few days of rest following a hectic Holy Week schedule. “Remembering and praying for these our brothers – bishops, priests, religious and lay people – who have fallen in the course of 2007 while carrying out their missionary service,” the Pope said, “is a duty of gratitude of the Church and is also a stimulus for each one of us to witness in a more courageous way to our faith and hope in Him who on the Cross overcame the power of hatred and violence with the omnipotence of his love.
March 24 was also World Tuberculosis Day 2008 and Pope Benedict made it an occasion to express his closeness with those affected by the disease and their families, calling for increased commitment from the world community to defeat the disease. The Holy Father particularly appealed to Catholic institutions so that all those who suffer from may be able to recognize, through their work, the Risen Lord who heals them and brings them consolation and peace. According to the latest report of the United Nations’ World Health Organization, the rate of tuberculosis incidence fell slightly worldwide for a second straight year in 2006, but there were still 9.2 million new cases and the disease killed 1.7 million people. This slight decline compared to the increase in the world's population meant there were actually more TB cases globally. Africa had the highest TB rates while Asia had the most cases. By nation, India had the most cases, followed by China, Indonesia, South Africa and Nigeria.