September 12, 2012. (Romereports.com) As the world reacts to the tragic death of the U.S. ambassador and three other officials in Libya, the Pope also made a call on Christians in the Middle East to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation. His call is now even more relevant after these attacks that came in reaction to an online video that was anti-Islamic.
Benedict XVI
“Let us ask God to give this part of the world their desired peace while respecting legitimate differences. I urge all Christians in the Middle East, both those who were born there, and those who later arrived there, to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation.”
His words were not directed toward the assault on the consulate but rather the current situation in Lebanon, where the Pope will travel to on Friday. It's a country where Christians have a long history of living in peace with other faiths.
But still many Christians are fleeing the Middle East due to the political and social instability. There has also been a large amount of discrimination against Christians in the region.
Benedict XVI
"I call on the whole Church to solidarity, so that they can continue to give witness to Christ in these blessed lands, seeking communion in unity."
After the deaths were confirmed by the US government, the Vatican came out with it's own statement saying “the essential premise for peaceful coexistence among peoples is the deep respect for the beliefs, texts, great characters and symbols of different religions.”
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