Vatican: Let Peace Begin in Jerusalem

(December 16, 2010) The president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is asking for peace on earth, and that it begin in Jerusalem. Cardinal Peter Turkson wrote this in his message for the Third International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land. Bishop Mario Toso, the dicastery's secretary, also signed the note, which was released on Wednesday. The prayer initiative, which is organized by several Catholic youth associations, will take place January 29-30. The annual event began in 2009, when faithful from some 500 cities around the world joined in a common prayer for peace. Last January, some 1,103 cities worldwide joined Pope Benedict XVI, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the custodian of the Holy Land, and Archbishop Fouad Twal, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, to participate in the prayer for peace. Organizers say that groups from more than 2,000 cities have already confirmed participation in this year's event. The prayer day is supported by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and responds in a special way to the call for prayer from the recent Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. "The Church has always made an effort to spread the message of peace," Cardinal Turkson said in his message. "Today, the very important topic of peace and the search for it are timelier than ever." The Third International Day the Cardinal noted, "gathers different associations, brothers and sisters of every region, and solicits them to make their voice heard in the whole world saying: We want peace, reconciliation and unity, beginning in Jerusalem."