Pope Benedict XVI Speaks to “The Oil Wounds Participants” on Divorce and Abortion

(April 5, 2008) Divorce and Abortion are some choices of different nature, sometimes matured in difficult and tragic circumstances, often involving trauma and are a source of deep pain for those who are affected by it. They also affect innocent victims: the baby that has just been conceived but not yet born, the children involved in the breakdown of family ties. All these leave behind indelible wounds that can ruin life, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was speaking to the members of the International Congress on “the Oil Wounds”, sponsored by the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and family, in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus. While expressing firmly the ethical stand on divorce held by the Church, the Holy Father expressed the distortion of Human Dignity by it, involving profound injustice in human relationships. Often injustice is done to these people towards whom the Church has the primary duty to approach with love and sensitivity, with maternal care and attention, to proclaim the closeness to merciful God in Jesus Christ. Recalling the words of late Pope John Paul II, he said, “We must convey to the world this fire, mercy. In the mercy of God the world will find peace.” Further, “there is no other source of hope apart from the mercy of God.” the Holy Father then drew their attention to the tragedy of Abortion in today’s world, leaving deep marks, sometimes indelible in women and all those involved in it directly or indirectly, which produces devastating consequences on the family and society. He then expressed his deep personal appreciation to all those personal initiatives taken by the members of the Congress aimed at reconciliation and treatment of persons injured by the tragedy of Abortion and Divorce.