Pope Prays for Victims of Philippine Ferry Disaster
(22 June 08 - RV) The victims of a tragic ferry disaster in the Philippines as well
as those hit by the passage of Cyclone Fengshen were in Pope Benedict XVI’s prayers
this Sunday.
Speaking to
visitors and pilgrims in St Peter’s Square after the midday Angelus, the Pope expressed
his deep sorrow on learning of the fate of over 700 people, passengers and crew aboard
the MV Princess of Stars, which capsized on high sea’s this weekend. So far only 4
people have reached shore, while rescue boats battle to reach the vessel. Many of
the dead are young children noted Pope Benedict. Relief workers report that the storm
has left hundreds of dead, submerging entire communities and setting off landslides
throughout the archipelago.
And it was in his reflections on this Sunday’s
Gospel that Pope Benedict urged people to take comfort in knowing that God is a father
full of mercy and goodness, that those who love him do not fear:
“Today’s Gospel
reminds us that we are personally loved by our heavenly Father, whose providence
watches over us and frees us from all fear. May these consoling words strengthen
us in our witness to the joy and hope proclaimed by the Gospel!”
The “beloved
and tormented nation of Lebanon” was also in the Pope’s thoughts this Sunday as he
renewed his appeal for lasting peace while marking the beatification of a Maronite
Catholic monk.
Father Jacob Haddad was beatified Sunday in a ceremony attended
by more than 10,000 people. Top officials such as the president, prime minister and
parliament speaker were also present to witness Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, Prefect
of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints, lead the open-air mass in Beirut. The
Capuchin monk founded the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross of Lebanon.
In expressing his congratulations to the sisters, the Pope said, he hoped “the
intercession of the blessed Abuna Yaaqub, with that of Lebanese saints, may give this
beloved and tormented country, which has suffered too much, a chance to finally move
towards a stable peace.”
Last month Lebanon ended its 18-month political crisis
with the Western-backed coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition reaching a Qatari-mediated
accord.
But delays in the formation of a national unity government as stipulated
in the accord have raised fears of a further deterioration in the security situation.
Furthering these fears, at least two people were killed and 25 wounded on Sunday in
sectarian clashes in Lebanon's second largest city Tripoli, underlining that a lasting
peace is still a distant goal.