Rome (AsiaNews) - The Italian Church "is close with since words to Syria and the entire Middle East , beginning with the Holy Land, which for far too long has lived in violence and fear," said Card Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) in his inaugural address to the Conference's Permanent Episcopal Council in Rome. In his speech, the cardinal, who is archbishop of Genoa, touched on issues that are sensitive in contemporary Italy, and devoted a long passage to the international situation.
The first point the bishop mentioned was the harm of individualism, which poisons groups and peoples. "This is visible on the international stage with open and continuous forms of discrimination and intolerance. In too many parts of the world, violence, especially against the Christians, not only continues but it also seems to be intensifying. God does not want this, and the international community continues to be half-hearted, pretending not to see. To the many brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith, we pledge our warm closeness in prayer and in every other form of solidarity, but we also raise a strong voice, that respect and coexistence may assert themselves in a clear and definitive way."
"A word of sincere closeness goes to Syria," Card Bagnasco went on to say, "for the 100,000 killed in the fighting, the 2 million refugees, the whole population that has long lived in violence and fear and even the entire Middle East, beginning with the Holy Land."
"The Holy Father, Francis, has repeatedly appealed for the path of dialogue and negotiation. He called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in justice. It was not only an inspiration that was followed by Catholics and Christians, but also by believers of other religions and non-believers. May the Lord grant wisdom to the leaders of nations, knowing that war does not produce peace, but begets violence, hatred, and revenge. "
The bishop concluded his address mentioning International Migrants Day, which will be announced tomorrow in a message signed by Francis.
"We cannot forget the Pope's recent visit to Lampedusa, a place of despair and hope for many. It reintroduced us to the ideals of the Beatitudes and the judgment before God-'For I was [. . .] a stranger and you welcomed me ' (Mt, 25:35). It presents a tragedy to the conscience of Europe that no one member state can elude. Lampedusa, and generally Italy, is the gateway to Europe, i.e. its front door. Likewise, the pope urged the wealthiest nations to reconsider the wounds of many nations and not turn their gaze away, like in the parable of the Good Samaritan. This is about justice and solidarity, as well as intelligence. How long will so much imbalance and suffering last?"