Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope: the memory of war and the Holocaust a warning to educate in solidarity and love

» 09/06/2009 13:37
VATICAN

On pastoral visit to Viterbo, Benedict XVI says that "religions can and must play a role in promoting forgiveness and reconciliation against violence, racism, totalitarianism and extremism." Catholics must have the courage to witness to their faith.

Viterbo (AsiaNews) - The memory of World War II and the Holocaust should make us build peace: in this task "Religions can and must play a role in promoting forgiveness and reconciliation against violence, racism, totalitarianism and extremism that disfigure the image of the Creator in man, erasing the horizon of God and, consequently, lead to contempt of man himself. " This is the warning that Benedict XVI launched today from Viterbo where he went on a pastoral visit.

During the Angelus the Pope said that in Krakow "numerous leaders and representatives of various religions - invited by the Archdiocese of Krakow and the Community of Sant'Egidio – have gathered to reflect and pray for peace, 70 years after the outbreak of World War II. We can not forget - he stressed - the dramatic events that began one of the most terrible wars in history, which caused tens of millions of deaths and much suffering to the beloved Polish people, a conflict that saw the tragedy of 'The Holocaust and the extermination of scores of other innocent people. The memory of these events lead us to pray for the victims and for those who still bear wounds in the body and heart and may it also be a warning to everyone not to repeat such barbarism and to intensify efforts to build in our own time, still marked by conflicts and confrontations, a lasting peace, transmitting, especially the younger generation, a culture and a way of life marked by love, solidarity and respect for each other. In this perspective, the contribution that religions can and should play in promoting forgiveness and reconciliation against violence, racism, totalitarianism and extremism is particularly important, because they disfigure the image of the Creator in man, wipe the horizon of God and, consequently, lead to contempt of man himself. The Lord help us to build peace based on love and mutual understanding (cf. Caritas in veritate, 72)”.

Benedict XVI arrived in Viterbo, a town in northern Lazio this morning and visited among other sites, the Palace of the Popes, and inside, the Hall of the Conclave, home to the longest conclave in history - from December 1268 to September 1271 - which elected Pope Gregory X. From there he travelled by car to the Faul Valley, where he presided over a Eucharistic celebration. During his homily, the Pope called on Catholics to have the courage to witness to their faith. " The seasons of history pass, -he said recalling the Viterbo native Mario Fani, one of the 'fathers' of Azione Cattolica- social contexts change, but the vocation of Christians to live the Gospel in solidarity with the human family, in step with the times, does not change and does not go out of fashion. This is social commitment, this is proper service of political action, this is integral human development”.

It is a "development" that requires knowledge - and the Pope reaffirmed the existing "educational emergency", witness of faith and attention to the"signs of God"; those "deeds and words" through which he continues to reveal his project.
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See also:

From CNA, "Pope Benedict speaks on his role as universal pastor, asks for prayers"

From the New York Times, "Pope Recalls ‘Tragedy of the Holocaust’"

From the Times & Transcript, "Pope marks WWII anniversary, says religion must promote peace, combat racism, totalitarianism"

From YouTube-Vatican's Channel:

Pope: Christ wants a humanity of dialogue
September 6, 2009

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 3:48 PM