Papa Benedetto XVI on the Middle East (Angelus 16 July 2006)

Today, after praying the Angelus with the people gathered at Les Combes, Introd, in the Aosta Valley of the Italian Alps, where he is on vacation, Pope Benedict XVI had the following to say about the events in Lebanon & Israel:

"In recent days the news from the Holy Land is a reason for new and grave concern for all, in particular because of the spread of warlike actions also in Lebanon, and because of the numerous victims among the civilian population. At the origin of these cruel oppositions there are, sadly, objective situations of violation of law and justice. But neither terrorist acts nor reprisals, especially when they entail tragic consequences for the civilian population, can be justified. By such paths, as bitter experiences shows, positive results are not achieved.

This day is dedicated to the Virgin of Carmel, Mount of the Holy Land that, a few kilometers from Lebanon, dominates the Israeli city of Haifa, the latter also recently hit. Let us pray to Mary, Queen of Peace, to implore from God the fundamental gift of concord, bringing political leaders back to the path of reason, and opening new possibilities of dialogue and agreement. In this perspective I invite the local Churches to raise special prayers for peace in the Holy Land and in the whole of the Middle East. "

As I said the other day, we need to pray. & the Holy Father is clearly calling for this. & in a lot of ways this clears up some of what was said the other day by the Vatican. In his statement Papa Benedetto is clearly not coming down as hard on Israel as the reports the other day made it sound. Rather he is reminding everyone of what the Church teaches about what is & isn't acceptable in defending your country. If what Israel is doing is merely retribution, then it is wrong. If it is defending itself, then under the just war teaching of the Catholic Church Israel has the responsibility to see that the civilian population is being kept from harm. & so far it seems to me that Israel is doing much more than Hezbollah to protect civilians.

Lebanon has made claims, unproven so far, that Israel is using illegal weapons. If so, then Israel is in the wrong & needs to stop using them. If the claims are untrue, then it seems to me that Lebanon is trying to, sadly, cover up its failure to disarm Hezbollah. Pray that the truth comes out quickly. & pray also, that what former US Congressman Newt Gingrich said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press is wrong, that World War III has begun. Or if it has, it will end quickly, with no more escalation of hostilities.

Mary, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Queen of Peace, Pray for us! Theotokis, Mother of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, intercede before His Throne & ask Him to bring about a just conclusion to this conflict. Lord Jesus, bring both sides together & let the true peace that can only come from you reign in that area. Let both Jew & Palestinian live in peace & prosperity in the homeland each has the right to have. Change hearts, O Lord, that where there is hate there will be love for one another instead. Change the hearts of those in leadership, who would wipe out Israel, so that the will let them live in peace. If not, Lord remove them from power & place in power those who will sincerely work toward peace for all. For the Israelis, whose hearts are filled with anger, hatred & bitterness, give them a spirit of forgiveness, heal their hurts & let them be willing to honestly work with those who are sincerely seeking peace for all, Palistinian & Jew. I ask this in Your Name, Lord Jesus, You who lives & reigns with the Father & Holy Spirit forever. Amen!