Speaking on Ukraine, the Vatican's Secretary of State said that Jesus' teachings of mercy do not mean accepting injustice, but rather asking for accountability.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Vatican Secretary of State
In asking us to turn the other cheek, He does not mean for us to bend to injustice.
The Cardinal's comments came in a Mass celebrated in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major to mark thirty years since the restoration of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Holy See.
In his homily, Cardinal Parolin said that injustice hurts people in a way that is more difficult defend against than traditional violence, as it sows hatred in people's hearts.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Vatican Secretary of State
Violence, abuse of power, injustice has a double effect. It strikes twice against the victim, because it not only causes external harm, but an internal one in the hearts of people.
It is legitimate to defend ourselves externally from who means to attack and overpower us, but it is even more painful to defend ourselves internally from hatred and revenge.
In his closing remarks, Ukraine's ambassador to the Holy See once again extended his invitation for Pope Francis to travel to Ukraine to bring an end to the war.
ANDRII YURASH
Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See
Ukraine awaits the prophetically important visit of His Holiness Pope Francis in Ukraine which will help bring an end to the bloody war.
Present at the Mass were members of the Ukrainian community in Rome, as well as more than 60 ambassadors to the Holy See from around the world.
It was celebrated only days after a new wave of bombings in Ukraine, which prompted Pope Francis to pray that the Lord would “hurry up” to bring peace to the “martyred” country.
JM
