Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has addressed Christians in the Holy Land with a heartfelt message in view of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on August 15. In his message, the Patriarch expresses his dismay over the “terrible war” that has caused immense suffering.
He laments that, despite months of war, the present situation is still filled with so much hatred, resentment, and violence, making it increasingly difficult to find solutions to the conflict raging in the Middle East. Patriarch Pizzaballa writes that it has become “increasingly difficult to envision a conclusion to this conflict, whose impact on the lives of our people is greater and more painful than ever before.”
He notes that it is “increasingly difficult to find people and institutions with whom a dialogue about the future and peaceful relations” can take place in the current situation, marked by “so much violence and, admittedly, anger.”
While the situation is desperate, the days ahead offer opportunities for turning the tide on the conflict, especially the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, Patriarch Pizzaballa points out.
He invites everyone to pray earnestly for reconciliation and peace, entrusting our prayers to the intercession of the Blessed Mother on the Feast of the Assumption, before or following the celebration of the Eucharist or any other suitable time.
Prayers for peace must accompany our efforts in helping and accompanying those suffering, Patriarch Pizzaballa notes.
In the face of the many words of hatred we hear spoken too often, he says, “we would like to offer our prayer, which consists of words of reconciliation and peace.”