Pope appeals for freedom of religion and peace in Middle East

(June 9, 2007) Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday appealed for peace in the Middle East and other conflict regions of the world and urged that Christians everywhere be able to continue living and practicing their faith in their native lands. The Holy Father launched the plea while visiting the office of the Vatican’s Congregation for Oriental Churches, very close to St. Peter’s Square. The congregation oversees the affairs connected with the numerous Catholic communities around the world who follow eastern rites. Traditionally, most of these rites are in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
“As a father and pastor,” the Pope said, “I feel it bound to raise to God a fervent prayer and make a heartfelt appeal to all in authority so that everywhere, from the east to the west, the Churches may be able to profess the Christian faith in full freedom.” “That the sons and daughters of the Church be allowed to live in personal and social tranquillity: that individuals and groups be guaranteed dignity, respect and a future, without any prejudice for their right as believers and citizens,” the Pope said. “From my lips I raise a yet more fervent appeal for peace in the Holy Land, Iraq, the Lebanon and all territories under the Vatican’s Congregation for Eastern Rite Churches as well as other regions involved in an apparently unstoppable spiral of violence,” the Pope said. He wished that the Churches and disciples of the Lord continue to remain where Divine Providence has placed them by birth; where they deserve to remain, for a presence that goes back to the beginning of Christianity.
Strife and violence in the Middle East, particularly in the Holy Land and in Iraq have force many Christians to emigrate abroad, bleeding these countries of their traditional Christian presence. Growing attacks against Iraq’s tiny Christian community recently have been condemned by Church leaders. Last Sunday, a priest and three deacons were shot dead in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.