VATICAN: “You Cannot Make War in the Name of God”- Pope Francis
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| The Holy Father, Pope Francis |
Pope Francis
has made an appeal for peace in Iraq and Gaza before concluding his Sunday Angelus
address, calling on the faithful to pray for those affected by the violence.
“The
news coming from Iraq leaves us in disbelief and dismay: thousands of people,
including many Christians, brutally driven from their homes; children dead from
thirst and hunger during the escape; women who are abducted; people
slaughtered; violence of every kind; destruction everywhere, destruction of
homes, destruction of religious, historical and cultural patrimonies,” he
said.
“All
this greatly offends God and greatly offends humanity. You cannot bring hatred
in the name of God. You cannot make war in the name of God!” he said.
Following
his appeal, the Holy Father led the pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square in a moment
of silence and prayer for those suffering.
The Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have wreaked havoc in their countries, forcing
Christians to either flee, convert to Islam or face death. The terrorist group
took over the city of Mosul and also bombed, and now controls, the biblical
city of Nineveh.
The Pope
called on local and international organizations to find a solution that will
end the violence and restore the rule of law in the region. Earlier this week,
the Holy See announced that Cardinal Fernando Filoni had been chosen as the
Pope’s personal envoy in Iraq. The 77 year old Pontiff informed the faithful
present that Cardinal Filoni will depart tomorrow “to better assure my
closeness” to the Iraqi people.
Continuing
his call for peace, the Pope also called to mind those suffering in Gaza. War
between Israel and Palestine resumed after a brief ceasefire. The conflict, he
said, “kills innocent victims, children, and does nothing other than to
worsen the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Pope Francis
concluded his appeal by inviting all present to pray for peace. “Let us
pray to the God of peace, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary: Give
peace, Lord, to our days and make us builders of justice and peace. Mary, Queen
of Peace, pray for us,” he said.
From AMECEA Online News Editorial
Desk
is experiencing myriad of atrocities committed in the name of God. Religion,
which was expected to foster unconditional peace, amity, love, compassion,
nurturing the inherent good in humanity and reflecting a generous and loving
Supreme Being has changed to be the agent of hostility, conflict and violence.
Those who look to religion for personal guidance are free
to do so and their right must be protected, but they must also abide by the
laws. No longer should any religious edict be forced on anyone. Under these
conditions, religious freedom goes hand in hand with personal freedom, which is
central in promoting all religions’ fundamental doctrines of brotherhood,
empathy, friendship and reconciliation. And perhaps this may bring an end to
the “Killing in the name of god” that betrays the essence of why and to what
end religion was created in the first place.
“Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” Mathew 5:9
