杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

鈥淚t is a source of joy to see that this pilgrimage of peace 鈥� has never been interrupted and continues to grow鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis. His words came in a message addressed to Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, Archbishop of Madrid, and to the participants of the Prayer for Peace Meeting.

Organised by the Community of Sant鈥橢gidio, the prayer for Peace Meeting was founded 33 years ago and this year takes place in Madrid,  from 15 - 17 September, reflecting on the theme "Peace with no borders".

Peace without borders

杏MAP导航 Francis began his message recalling the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago, when, he said, the 鈥渓acerating division of the European continent that had caused so much suffering ended鈥�.

The contribution of a prayer for peace

That day brought 鈥渘ew peace and hope鈥� throughout the world, said the 杏MAP导航. We are convinced, he continued, that the 鈥減rayers for peace, of so many of God鈥檚 sons and daughters contributed to that fall鈥�.

The Pontiff went on to refer to the biblical story of Jericho, which reminds us that 鈥渨alls fall when they are "besieged" with prayer and not with weapons, with longings for peace and not conquest, when one dreams of a good future for all鈥�.

For this reason, continued the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋t is always necessary to pray and dialogue in the perspective of peace鈥� as 鈥渢he Lord listens to the prayer of his faithful people鈥�.

Wasting God鈥檚 gift

In the first two decades of this century we have seen 鈥淕od鈥檚 gift that is peace鈥� being wasted, with wars and 鈥渨ith the construction of new walls and barriers鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航.

鈥淚t is foolish鈥�, he continued, 鈥渢o close spaces, to separate peoples鈥�. It is foolish both for the good of the people, and for the good of the world he said. Our world, our common home, 鈥渄emands love, care, respect鈥� just as humanity demands peace and brotherhood鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航.

No walls, rather doors

Rather than 鈥渨alls that separate鈥�, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis, the common home 鈥渘eeds open doors that help to communicate, to meet, to cooperate in order to live together in peace, respecting diversity and tightening bonds of responsibility鈥�.

Closeness

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to express his closeness to all those participating in the meeting, from different Christian Churches and different worldwide religions. This prayer, he said 鈥渦nites us all, in a common feeling, without any confusion鈥�, because, he explained, peace is a common desire in a variety of different religions and traditions.

Document of human fraternity

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled signing the 鈥淒ocument on Human Fraternity, for World Peace and Living Together鈥� in Abu Dhabi in February. Along with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, he said, 鈥渨e affirmed that 鈥榬eligions must never incite war, hateful attitudes, hostility and extremism, nor must they incite violence or the shedding of blood鈥欌��.

One voice from one heart

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged all participants to unite shout, 鈥渨ith one heart and one voice鈥�, that 鈥減eace has no borders鈥�. With one heart and from the heart, concluded 杏MAP导航 Francis, as 鈥渋t is in hearts that the feelings of peace and brotherhood must be sown.鈥�