Syria Tag

SYRIA/GERMANY by Domradio • The war in Syria does not end – politics does not find a solution. The only thing that can help is to pray? Perhaps. It is precisely for this reason that an initiative in Niederrhein, Germany, has emerged and on Monday, 5 December, a prayer chain will begin at the pilgrimage place of Kevelaer. domradio.de: What do you think will be accomplished by praying together in the coming Mondays of Advent that have been not been accomplished after all the international efforts for Syria? Dr. ElkeRead More
FRANCIS IN ROME • During his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis repeated his appeals to help the suffering nation of Syria. According to Vatican Radio, at the conclusion of the audience, Francis lamented “the dramatic news concerning the fate of the people of Aleppo.” After a ceasefire collapsed last week, rebel-held areas of Aleppo were heavily bombarded, creating a plight for the areas’ 250,000 residents.  This morning, the Syrian military announced it was launching concentrated air strikes in Aleppo and nearby areas, targeting insurgent heldRead More
COVENANT SOLIDARITY by AICA and editors • In his words, after leading the Angelus on Sunday, the Holy Father reiterated his condemnation of the “deplorable acts of terrorism and violence” that have taken place in the last few days. Francis said he was “once again shaken by the sad news of the deplorable acts of terrorism and violence” in which “many innocent people lost their lives.” He expressed his closeness to the families of the victims and the injured, and invited them to unite themselves in his prayer, because thisRead More
ARGENTINA/SYRIA/IRAQ, by Cristina White • Sr. María Guadalupe, from Argentina and missionary of the Incarnate Word has carried out her apostolate in the city of Aleppo, Syria for five years. During the past few months, she has been in Argentina in different areas giving her testimony. It is very difficult to hear the heartbreaking reality of the war, from the protagonist role at the service of the sorrow, and the atrocities that she defines as genocide. To hear her provokes a tremendous inner quivering, and one cannot be indifferent toRead More
ARGENTINA, by Mercedes MacDonough and María Fischer • During the Angelus on Sunday, 29 May, after celebrating the jubilee Mass for in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis reminded the participants for the celebration on Wednesday, 1 June, for the International Children’s Gathering and he communicated a special initiative: “Next Wednesday, 1 June, on the occasion of the International Children’s Day, the Christian communities of Syria, both Catholic and Orthodox, together will raise a special prayer for peace, which will have children themselves as its protagonists. The Syrian children invite childrenRead More
SYNOD OF BISHOPS • Francis today (9 October) urged the Synod participants gathered in the Vatican to pray for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East and also in Africa, and called on the international community to help resolve the conflicts in the region. “In resuming this morning the work of the General Congregation, I invite you to dedicate the prayer of the Third Hour to the intention of reconciliation and peace in the Middle East. We are painfully struck and we follow with great concern what is happening inRead More
Schoenstatt, Fr Franz Widmaier/Maria Fischer • “I could never have dreamed it possible …” Fr Franz Widmaier exclaimed as his dream came true on Sunday near the Original Shrine. On 22 and 23 August an international Festival with live music, an international market, typical food specialties and a concert of world music took place at the Pilgrims’ House in Schoenstatt. … The aim of the festival is to bring together the whole variety of different nations. There is a colourful programme of art and culture, live music and culinary offers”,Read More
Schoenstatt, Maria Fischer in interview with Fr Franz Widmeier • A few days ago Pope Francis placed the next world day for migrants and refugees on 17 January 2016 under the motto: “Migrants and refugees are a challenge. An answer is offered by the Gospel of Mercy.” It is a message that reached Fr Franz Widmaier long ago. In a conversation with schoenstatt.org on 21 August he said that he had felt like a lone voice calling in the desert whenever he spoke about migrants and refugees in Schoenstatt. “Then PopeRead More
mda. “With pain, with great pain…” remarked Pope Francis during the Angelus on Sunday 15 March, “I learned about today’s terrorist attacks against two churches in Lahore in Pakistan that resulted in many deaths and injuries. These are Christian churches. Christians are being persecuted. Our brothers are spilling their blood just because they are Christians. Meanwhile, be assured of my prayers for the victims and their families. I ask the Lord, the source of all good, for the gift of peace and harmony for that country, and that this persecutionRead More