|
|
| |
|
| |
20/06/05
Benedict XVI on World Refugee Day: The Church Is "a Homeland Where No One Is
a Stranger"
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 19, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address
Benedict XVI gave today before praying the midday Angelus with the crowds
gathered in St. Peter's Square.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Tomorrow, June 20, World Refugee Day will be observed, promoted by the United
Nations to keep alive attention on the problems of those who must forcibly
abandon their homeland. The theme this year, "The Courage to Be a Refugee,"
underlines the strength of spirit needed by those who must leave everything, at
times even their families, to escape from grave difficulties and dangers. The
Christian community feels close to those who live this painful condition; it
exerts itself to support them and manifests in different ways its interest and
love, which is translated into concrete gestures of solidarity so that whoever
finds himself far from his country, feels the Church as a homeland where no one
is a stranger.
Christians' loving attention to those in difficulty and their commitment in
favor of a more solidaristic society are continually nourished by active and
conscious participation in the Eucharist. Whoever is nourished with the faith of
Christ at the Eucharistic table assimilates his same style of life, which is the
style of attentive service, especially to weaker and less favored people (see
apostolic letter "Mane Nobiscum Domine," No. 28). May the Year of the Eucharist,
which we are living, help diocesan and parish communities to revive this
capacity to go out to meet the numerous poverties of our world.
Today we wish to entrust especially the men, women and children who live the
condition of refugees to the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy, who,
together with her husband St. Joseph and the Child Jesus, experienced the
suffering of exile. At that time, the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt, due to
the absurd persecution of Herod (Matthew 2:13-23). Let us pray to the Virgin
Most Holy that these brothers and sisters of ours may find acceptance and
understanding on their journey. |
|
