Pope lauds support for Eastern churches

Catholic World News ^ | June 23 2005 | Not cited

[RKBA Democrat]

Solidarity among Christians must go beyond national boundaries, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) said as he met on June 23 with representatives of groups involved with aid to the Eastern churches.

The Holy Father met with 70 people from ROACO (Reunion of Organizations for Aid to the Oriental Churches)in the Clementine Hall of the apostolic palace. ROACO is holding its annual meeting at the Vatican this week.

From the beginning of Christianity, needy communities of believers have enjoyed the support of their wealthier brethren, the Pope observed. At a time when individualism and consumerism are so powerful, he continued, "it is more necessary than ever that Christians offer a testimony of a solidarity that crosses all frontiers." He thanked ROACO for carrying out that charitable action, adding the group's work is doubly important because it "binds Christians of the Latin tradition and those of the Eastern tradition."

Pope Benedict took note of the fact that his year's ROACO meeting has focused on the Catholic Church in Ukraine, "whose continuous evolution following the sad winter of the Communist regime is a cause for joy and hope." He urged ROACO to maintain support for Ukrainian Catholics, and to "favor everything that promotes reconciliation and fraternity among Christians" there.

(The Byzantine-rite Ukrainian Catholic Church, which has emerged vigorously since the fall of Communism, has clashed frequently with local Orthodox leaders. One important factor in the tensions between Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholics is the commitment by the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy to transfer its primary see from Lviv, where it has been based, to Kiev, the country's capital. The Russian Orthodox Church, which has historic ties to Ukraine and especially to Kiev, regards that move as an affront.)

The Pope went on to say that all Christians have an "unforgettable debt" to the Church in the Holy Land, and remarked that he welcomed the "positive signs" of hope for peace in the region. He encouraged ROACO to continue providing help and prayerful support for the Christian community there.

Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who heads the Franciscan Custody in the Holy Land, was in Rome for the ROACO meeting. In an interview broadcast by Vatican Radio, he emphatically affirmed the Pope's message, adding that one important way in which Christians can support their brothers in the Holy Land is by visiting. In a sweeping statement clearly aimed at overcoming fears of Arab-Israeli violence, he told the radio audience that "a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is absolutely, totally, definitively safe and free from any risk."

[RKBA Democrat]

Ping.

[NYer]

Many Catholics are not aware that the Church is both Western and Eastern. There are 22 different Catholic Rites, including Byzantine, Armenian, Coptic, Chaldean, Melkite, Maronite, Ukrainian, and Ruthenian. A Roman Catholic may attend Mass at any of the Eastern Catholic Churches and fulfill their Sunday obligation. Check your local community at the following link and look into attending an Eastern Catholic Liturgy (not to be confused with the Orthodox Church).

You can learn more about the 22 different liturgies at this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.

Eastern Catholic Ping List
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[bboop]

"Pizzabolla"?????

[Romish_Papist]

Bump!