Catholic News 2

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Saturday made an emotional visit  to the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos where he met and chatted to its inmates, some of whom who broke down in tears when they met him. The Pope was accompanied on his tour by the spiritual leader of the Orthodox world, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Costantinople, Bartholomew I and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos II. The Pope, Patriarch and Archbishop shook hands and chatted briefly with some of the refugees inside the camp.  More than 3,000 refugees and migrants are being held at Moria that has effectively being transformed into a de facto detention centre after the recent deal signed between the EU and Turkey. Under the terms of this deal, refugees and migrants whose asylum claims are refused or who do not make a claim, are to be deported back to Turkey.

There were a number of poignant moments during the visit when several refugees and migrants broke down in tears as they met the Pope and the other religious leaders during their tour of the facility. One man sobbed loudly as he knelt down before a visibly moved Pope Francis and asked God to bless him.  The Pope listened in silence and then spoke some words of comfort to the man.    

Full Article

(Vatican Radio) Continuing his visit to the Greek island of Lesbos on Saturday, Pope Francis expressed his admiration for the Greek people who, despite their own great difficulties, have "kept open their hearts and their doors."  He was addressing Civil Authorities and the Catholic community on the island where he also  renewed his "heartfelt plea for responsibility and solidarity in the face of this tragic situation." 

Address of His Holiness Pope Francis

to Civil Authorities and the People of Lesvos

Saturday, 16 April 2016

Below find the English translation of the Pope's address to Civil Authorities 

Distinguished Authorities,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I have wanted to visit Lesvos ever since migrants arrived here seeking peace and dignity.  Today I give thanks to God who has granted me this wish.  I express my appreciation to President Pavlopoulos for inviting me, together with Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos.

I wish to express my admiration for the Greek people who, despite their own great difficulties, have kept open their hearts and their doors.  Many ordinary men and women have made available the little they have and shared it with those who have lost everything.  God will repay this generosity, and that of other surrounding nations who from the beginning have welcomed with great openness the large numbers of people forced to migrate.

Your island is blessed by the generous presence of many volunteers and various associations that, together with public institutions, have offered and continue to offer their assistance, visibly expressing their fraternal concern.

Today, I renew my heartfelt plea for responsibility and solidarity in the face of this tragic situation.  Many migrants who have come to this island and other places in Greece are living in trying conditions, in an atmosphere of anxiety and fear, at times even of despair, due to material hardship and uncertainty for the future.

The worries expressed by institutions and people, both in Greece and in other European countries, are understandable and legitimate.  We must never forget, however, that migrants, rather than simply being a statistic, are first of all persons who have faces, names and individual stories.  Europe is the homeland of human rights, and whoever sets foot on European soil ought to sense this, and thus become more aware of the duty to respect and defend those rights.  Unfortunately, some, including many infants, could not even make it to these shores: they died at sea, victims of unsafe and inhumane means of transport, prey to unscrupulous thugs.

You, the residents of Lesvos, show that in these lands, the cradle of civilization, the heart of humanity continues to beat; a humanity that before all else recognizes others as brothers and sisters, a humanity that wants to build bridges and recoils from the idea of putting up walls to make us feel safer.  In reality, barriers create divisions instead of promoting the true progress of peoples, and divisions sooner or later lead to confrontations.

To be truly united with those forced to flee their homelands, we need to eliminate the causes of this dramatic situation: it is not enough to limit ourselves to responding to emergencies as they arise.  Instead, we need to encourage political efforts that are broader in scope and multilateral.  It is necessary, above all, to build peace where war has brought destruction and death, and to stop this scourge from spreading.  To do this, resolute efforts must be made to counter the arms trade and arms trafficking, and the often hidden machinations associated with them; those who carry out acts of hatred and violence must be denied all means of support.  Cooperation among nations, international organizations and humanitarian agencies must be tirelessly promoted, and those on the frontlines must be assisted, not kept at a distance.  In this regard, I reiterate my hope that the First World Humanitarian Summit being held in Istanbul next month will prove productive.

All of this can be achieved only if we work together: solutions to the complex issue of refugees which are worthy of humanity can and must be sought.  In this regard, the contribution of Churches and religious communities is indispensable.  My presence here, along with that of Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos, is a sign of our willingness to continue to cooperate so that the challenges we face today will not lead to conflict, but rather to the growth of the civilization of love.

Dear brothers and sisters, God is neither indifferent to, nor distant from, the tragedies that wound humanity.  He is our Father, who helps us to work for good and to reject evil.  Not only does he come to our aid, but in Jesus he has shown us the way of peace.  Before the evil of this world, he made himself our servant, and by his service of love he saved the world.  This is the true power that brings about peace.  Only those who serve with love build peace.  Service makes us go beyond ourselves and care for others.  It does not stand by while people and things are destroyed, but rather it protects them; service overcomes that dense pall of indifference that clouds hearts and minds.

Thank you, for you are guardians of humanity, for you care with tenderness for the body of Christ, who suffers in the least of his brothers and sisters, the hungry and the stranger, whom you have welcomed (cf. Mt 25:35).

Evharistó!  

Full Article

(Vatican Radio) Pope had lunch on Saturday with a group of 8 refugees at a container inside the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.The Pope is being accompanied on his visit to Lesbos by the Orthodox leader, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Costantinople,  Bartholomew I and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos II and the three spiritual leaders toured the Moria camp and met refugees and migrants being held inside it before sitting down to their lunch. The meal was a simple one on account of it still being the Lenten season for the Orthodox Church.  

Full Article

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis, along with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, released a joint declaration during their visit to the Greek island of Lesbos on Saturday. 

The three leaders signed the joint declaration at the end of their visit to the Moria refugee camp.

The declaration calls on the international community to respond with generosity and compassion to the tragedy of forced migration, calling it a 'crisis of humanity'.

In the face of this crisis, the church leaders restated their desire to work toward the unity of all Christians. "For our part, in obedience to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, we firmly and wholeheartedly resolve to intensify our efforts to promote the full unity of all Christians... By defending the fundamental human rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, and the many marginalized people in our societies, we aim to fulfil the Churches’ mission of service to the world."

In conclusion, the declaration urges the international community to "make the protection of human lives a priority and, at every level, to support inclusive policies which extend to all religious communities". 

The official English translation of the Joint Declaration is below:

JOINT DECLARATION

We, Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, have met on the Greek island of Lesvos to demonstrate our profound concern for the tragic situation of the numerous refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who have come to Europe fleeing from situations of conflict and, in many cases, daily threats to their survival. World opinion cannot ignore the colossal humanitarian crisis created by the spread of violence and armed conflict, the persecution and displacement of religious and ethnic minorities, and the uprooting of families from their homes, in violation of their human dignity and their fundamental human rights and freedoms.

The tragedy of forced migration and displacement affects millions, and is fundamentally a crisis of humanity, calling for a response of solidarity, compassion, generosity and an immediate practical commitment of resources.  From Lesvos, we appeal to the international community to respond with courage in facing this massive humanitarian crisis and its underlying causes, through diplomatic, political and charitable initiatives, and through cooperative efforts, both in the Middle East and in Europe.

As leaders of our respective Churches, we are one in our desire for peace and in our readiness to promote the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation.  While acknowledging the efforts already being made to provide help and care to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, we call upon all political leaders to employ every means to ensure that individuals and communities, including Christians, remain in their homelands and enjoy the fundamental right to live in peace and security. A broader international consensus and an assistance programme are urgently needed to uphold the rule of law, to defend fundamental human rights in this unsustainable situation, to protect minorities, to combat human trafficking and smuggling, to eliminate unsafe routes, such as those through the Aegean and the entire Mediterranean, and to develop safe resettlement procedures. In this way we will be able to assist those countries directly engaged in meeting the needs of so many of our suffering brothers and sisters.  In particular, we express our solidarity with the people of Greece, who despite their own economic difficulties, have responded with generosity to this crisis.

Together we solemnly plead for an end to war and violence in the Middle East, a just and lasting peace and the honourable return of those forced to abandon their homes.  We ask religious communities to increase their efforts to receive, assist and protect refugees of all faiths, and that religious and civil relief services work to coordinate their initiatives.  For as long as the need exists, we urge all countries to extend temporary asylum, to offer refugee status to those who are eligible, to expand their relief efforts and to work with all men and women of good will for a prompt end to the conflicts in course.

Europe today faces one of its most serious humanitarian crises since the end of the Second World War.  To meet this grave challenge, we appeal to all followers of Christ to be mindful of the Lord’s words, on which we will one day be judged: «For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me… Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me» (Mt 25:35-36, 40).

For our part, in obedience to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, we firmly and wholeheartedly resolve to intensify our efforts to promote the full unity of all Christians.  We reaffirm our conviction that «reconciliation [among Christians] involves promoting social justice within and among all peoples… Together we will do our part towards giving migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers a humane reception in Europe» (Charta Oecumenica, 2001).  By defending the fundamental human rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, and the many marginalized people in our societies, we aim to fulfil the Churches’ mission of service to the world.

Our meeting today is meant to help bring courage and hope to those seeking refuge and to all those who welcome and assist them.  We urge the international community to make the protection of human lives a priority and, at every level, to support inclusive policies which extend to all religious communities.  The terrible situation of all those affected by the present humanitarian crisis, including so many of our Christian brothers and sisters, calls for our constant prayer.

Lesvos, 16 April 2016

Ieronymos II                          Francis                                    Bartholomew I

Full Article

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis during his encounter with civil authorities and the Catholic Community at the Port of Lesbos prayed for all the men, women and children who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life. He was joined by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronymus II who also prayed for all those in difficult circumstances. Follwing the prayers the three religious leaders droped flowers into the waters off the port of Lesbos to remember the victims.

Find below the English translation of the Pope's prayer at the port of Lesbos

Prayer of His Holiness Pope Francis

Lesvos, Saturday 16 April 2016

Merciful God,we pray to you for all the men, women and children

who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life.

Though many of their graves bear no name,

to you each one is known, loved and cherished.

May we never forget them, but honour their sacrifice

with deeds more than words.

We entrust to you all those who have made this journey,

enduring fear, uncertainty and humiliation,

in order to reach a place of safety and hope.

Just as you never abandoned your Son

as he was brought to a safe place by Mary and Joseph,

so now be close to these, your sons and daughters,

through our tenderness and protection.

In caring for them may we seek a world

where none are forced to leave their home

and where all can live in freedom, dignity and peace. 

Merciful God and Father of all,

wake us from the slumber of indifference,

open our eyes to their suffering,

and free us from the insensitivity  

born of worldly comfort and self-centredness.

Inspire us, as nations, communities and individuals,

to see that those who come to our shores are our brothers and sisters.

May we share with them the blessings we have received from your hand,

and recognize that together, as one human family,

we are all migrants, journeying in hope to you, our true home,

where every tear will be wiped away,

where we will be at peace and safe in your embrace. 

Find below the prayer of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople 

Lord of mercy, compassion and all comfort, we pray to You for our brothers in difficult circumstances and we offer to Your Goodness:

Nurture the infants; instruct the youth; strengthen the aged; give courage to the faint hearted; reunite those separated; sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel; defend the widows; protect the orphans; liberate the captives; heal the sick. Remember, O God, those who are in mines, in exile, in harsh labor, and those in every kind of affliction, necessity, or distress; and all those who entreat Your loving kindness; those who love us and those who hate us; and pour out upon all Your rich mercy, granting them their petitions for salvation

 Again we pray, Lord of life and of death, grant eternal repose to the souls of Your departed servants, those who lost their lives during their exodus from war-torn regions and during their journeys to places of safety, peace and prosperity.

For You, Lord, are the helper of the helpless, the hope of the hopeless, the savior of the afflicted, the haven of the voyager, and the physician of the sick. Be all things to all, You who know each person, his requests, his household, and his need. Deliver this island, O Lord, and every city and country, from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreign enemies, and civil war. Amen.

Find below the prayer of Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronymus II 

O God of all spirits and flesh, Who has trodden down death, destroying the power of the devil, bestowing life on Your world to the soul of Your servants departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning are fled away. Every sin by them committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our good and loving God forgive, seeing that there is no man that shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin: Your righteousness, and Your law is truth.

For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servants, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up Glory, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Full Article

Vatican City, Apr 16, 2016 / 04:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After cancelling his planned visit to a Vatican conference hosting U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) due to schedule complications surrounding his visit to Lesbos, Pope Francis agreed to meet the senator before departing for the small Greek island.

The meeting took place at 6a.m. at the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse as the Pope was on his way to the airport, Jeffrey Sachs told CNA shortly after the April 16 encounter. Sachs also participated in the meeting along with his wife.

In their discussion, “Senator Sanders thanked Pope Francis for his leadership on the moral economy and his leadership on climate change,” Sachs said.

Additionally, the senator said the Francis’ leadership in the area has led to “a vast difference” in terms of the action taken, and thanked the Pope “for all of his moral leadership and his brave stances.”

Sachs is the director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and a special adviser to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on the Sustainable Development Goals. He is also a member of the Pontifical Academy of the Sciences.

The goal of the academy is to foster dialogue between scientists, politicians and various experts, including, at times, those who don’t necessarily share Vatican positions. Sachs, for example, is known to oppose the Holy See’s position on population control.

Sanders and Sachs were present in Rome for an April 15-16 conference on the moral economy which was sponsored by the Academy, headed by Archbishop Sanchez Sorondo.

Pope Francis was initially scheduled to speak to conference participants at 7p.m. April 15, but was “was unfortunately unable to” due to complications in his schedule surrounding his trip to Greece.

The Pope’s presence at the Academy is a common sight, as he frequently pops in for unannounced visits to see what is being discussed.

In their brief meeting with Senator Sanders, Sachs said that Pope Francis apologized for not being able to come to the conference as was previously planned, and thanked the senator for understanding.

Although Pope Francis’ morning meeting with the senator was last minute, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for the Argentine pontiff, who has previously met with other individuals or groups before going on a trip.

One such instance was in 2015 when he was boarding the plane for his 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States. Before getting on bard, the Pope met with a Syrian refugee family that the Vatican is currently housing through one of its parishes.

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article