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God, not Obama will bring peace to the Middle East, says Jordanian bishop
cna ^ | October 10, 2009

Posted on 10/10/2009 6:43:15 AM PDT by NYer

Bishop Selim Sayegh

Amman, Jordan, Oct 9, 2009 / 02:25 pm (CNA).- The Vicar of Jordan, Most Rev. Selim Sayegh, spoke to CNA in Amman last week about the tensions in the Middle East as well as the diminishing number of Christians in the area.  He noted that Catholics can assist those struggling in the region by praying for peace because “true peace comes from the Lord,” not Obama, or Israeli/Palestinian leaders.

Sayegh, who has served Jordan as an auxiliary bishop for 27 years, addressed the plight of Christians in the Middle East, particularly the ones living in Iraq. He noted that the while the situation isn’t desperate, less Christians are living in the area than is considered ideal.

“Why,” the bishop asked, are not only Christians but also Muslims leaving the area?  “All of them, they are looking for peace…they want peace for their children,” he answered.

“Once peace is established into these countries...no one would think about leaving.”

He zeroed in on Iraq asking why anyone would leave – it’s “one of the richest countries in the world,” however “there is no hope.”

When Iraqi Christian’s leave, they go to Jordan or Syria, the vicar explained.  But, “for the most part, the Christians don’t intend to become established in Jordan,” but they only “stay until they can obtain a visa to the United States, Europe or Australia.”

“It’s a very sad situation,” the bishop lamented, explaining that many of the Iraqis were educated, economically well-off people in their country, but when they leave, all of a sudden, “poof, and they have nothing.”

Bishop Sayegh said that Catholics around the world can help improve the situation in the Middle East not only by being “good citizens,” but also by praying for peace.

“Pray for peace because true peace comes from the Lord, it doesn’t come from Obama or from Netanyahu or from Abu Mazen,” but rather from the “Lord of peace,” the bishop remarked.

Reflecting on Christians’ role in the peace process, Bishop Sayegh said that they have their place, but that they are called to play a role by living out the faith.  “That’s why every day in our churches we pray for peace,” since God is the only one who is “able to change the hearts” and to “arrive at peace” in the region.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: catholic; iraq; peace
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1 posted on 10/10/2009 6:43:16 AM PDT by NYer
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To: Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; nickcarraway; Romulus; ...
Catholic Ping
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2 posted on 10/10/2009 6:43:46 AM PDT by NYer ( "One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone"- Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer
“Pray for peace because true peace comes from the Lord, it doesn’t come from Obama or from Netanyahu or from Abu Mazen,” but rather from the “Lord of peace,” the bishop remarked.

Is there a Nobel Prize for profound, deep understanding of truth?

3 posted on 10/10/2009 6:52:28 AM PDT by MrDem (And this is a loyal lifelong Democrat saying this... Democrats for Cheney/Palin 2012)
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To: NYer
So Bishop...

When we say God, not Jesus...are we thinking he will turn the murderous muslims hearts...or turn them into pillars of salt?

Just wondering.

4 posted on 10/10/2009 6:52:52 AM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (RATs, nothing more than bald haired hippies.)
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To: NYer
My understanding is that,in recent times,Christians throughout the Middle East have been targeted by the Religion of Pieces.
5 posted on 10/10/2009 6:53:08 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Host The Beer Summit-->Win The Nobel Peace Prize!)
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To: MrDem
Yes,the Bishop clearly deserves the Peace Prize far more than Hussein ever has...or ever will.
6 posted on 10/10/2009 6:55:30 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Host The Beer Summit-->Win The Nobel Peace Prize!)
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To: NYer
I've been struggling with this for months.

Every time I turn around, something completely insane is happening to my ultimate no good.

There is really only about 15 or 25% of the population that MIGHT consider socialism, but we're being fed as if it's a majority.

Queers are like 2% but when the fringe media starts pumping it's sh!t (pun intended), tou'd think they were 35%

Anyway ... I can't begin to tellyou how many times I become aware of somrthing, struggle to understand and try to determine a correction, only to come to the impossible point of, :just shoot 'em", which is sure to get me banned and thrown in jail>


So it really comes down to ... GOD will either keep America viable, or allow (let) her to go down and help usher in the second coming.


Talk does no good, politics does no good, lagislating does no good ... really ... either just shoot 'em, or step back (2 Chron. 7:14), and watch God be God.

7 posted on 10/10/2009 7:05:01 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: NYer
God has never said that he would bring peace until he has returned and destroyed all who deny his existence.

There can never be or will be peace until he returns.

Peace as we know it must be by defeating the enemy.

8 posted on 10/10/2009 7:16:14 AM PDT by YOUGOTIT (I will always be a Soldier)
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To: knarf
The Middle East in general will always be at war. No amount of nation building or US will help that.

The only peace we will have is the 2nd coming. The sad fact is that as a Christian, we know this. However, people care more about the Middle East than America. US and other interest groups spend more time trying to create peace and aiding foreign countries than worrying about US.

As a Christian, you know Israel will be fine in the end, it's American I'm worried about.

9 posted on 10/10/2009 7:18:36 AM PDT by BGHater ("real price of every thing ... is the toil and trouble of acquiring it")
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To: Gay State Conservative
My understanding is that,in recent times,Christians throughout the Middle East have been targeted by the Religion of Pieces.

Yes and that is still true however, given the ongoing war in Iraq, the dynamics are now shifting to include the Muslims.

In case you missed it, the following thread provides one of the most detailed histories on how the Muslim divisions came about that resulted in Sharia. It clarifies just everything you ever wondered about Islam.

The Pope and the Prophet (Islam's basis for terrorism explained)

10 posted on 10/10/2009 7:44:29 AM PDT by NYer ( "One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone"- Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer
My wife and I have taken to calling Obama "god". We mean no blasphemy by it and we think that God understands the sarcasm. It just appears that to a certain percentage of the population, Obama is a miracle worker, a savior, and just more-than-human in his abilities.

We enjoy mocking this viewpoint. Here in MA, it's common (the viewpoint, NOT the mockery).

11 posted on 10/10/2009 7:56:22 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Play the Race Card -- lose the game.)
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To: NYer

**God, not Obama will bring peace to the Middle East, says Jordanian bishop***

Amen to that headline!


12 posted on 10/10/2009 10:36:04 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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