Posted on 08/12/2014 2:58:12 PM PDT by NYer
From CNS:
The Vatican called on Muslim leaders to condemn the “barbarity” and “unspeakable criminal acts” of Islamic State militants in Iraq, saying a failure to do so would jeopardize the future of interreligious dialogue.
“The plight of Christians, Yezidis and other religious and ethnic communities that are numeric minorities in Iraq demands a clear and courageous stance on the part of religious leaders, especially Muslims, those engaged in interfaith dialogue and everyone of goodwill,” said a statement from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue released by the Vatican Aug. 12.
The full statement, from the Vatican:
The whole world has witnessed with incredulity what is now called the “Restoration of the Caliphate,” which had been abolished on October 29, 1923 by Kamal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Opposition to this “restoration” by the majority of religious institutions and Muslim politicians has not prevented the “Islamic State” jihadists from committing and continuing to commit unspeakable criminal acts.
This Pontifical Council, together with all those engaged in interreligious dialogue, followers of all religions, and all men and women of good will, can only unambiguously denounce and condemn these practices which bring shame on humanity:
-the massacre of people on the sole basis of their religious affiliation;
-the despicable practice of beheading, crucifying and hanging bodies in public places;
-the choice imposed on Christians and Yezidis between conversion to Islam, payment of a tax (jizya) or forced exile;
-the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of people, including children, elderly, pregnant women and the sick;
-the abduction of girls and women belonging to the Yezidi and Christian communities as spoils of war (sabaya);
-the imposition of the barbaric practice of infibulation;
-the destruction of places of worship and Christian and Muslim burial places;
-the forced occupation or desecration of churches and monasteries;
-the removal of crucifixes and other Christian religious symbols as well as those of other
religious communities;
-the destruction of a priceless Christian religious and cultural heritage;
-indiscriminate violence aimed at terrorizing people to force them to surrender or flee.
No cause, and certainly no religion, can justify such barbarity. This constitutes an extremely serious offense to humanity and to God who is the Creator, as Pope Francis has often reminded us. We cannot forget, however, that Christians and Muslims have lived together – it is true with ups and downs – over the centuries, building a culture of peaceful coexistence and civilization of which they are proud. Moreover, it is on this basis that, in recent years, dialogue between Christians and Muslims has continued and intensified.
The dramatic plight of Christians, Yezidis and other religious communities and ethnic minorities in Iraq requires a clear and courageous stance on the part of religious leaders, especially Muslims, as well as those engaged in interreligious dialogue and all people of good will. All must be unanimous in condemning unequivocally these crimes and in denouncing the use of religion to justify them. If not, what credibility will religions, their followers and their leaders have? What credibility can the interreligious dialogue that we have patiently pursued over recent years have?
Religious leaders are also called to exercise their influence with the authorities to end these crimes, to punish those who commit them and to reestablish the rule of law throughout the land, ensuring the return home of those who have been displaced. While recalling the need for an ethical management of human societies, these same religious leaders must not fail to stress that the support, funding and arming of terrorism is morally reprehensible.
That said, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is grateful to all those who have already raised their voices to denounce terrorism, especially that which uses religion to justify it.
Let us therefore unite our voices with that of Pope Francis: “May the God of peace stir up in each one of us a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated by violence. Violence is defeated by peace. “
This may be a wake up call for Pope Francis. I hope he hears the SILENCEE emanating from the Muslim leaders.
Vatican says, “Pretend to be upset about ISIL.” Save it. If they haven’t condemned them by now, why would you want them to? It’s better they just come out in the open and show everyone who they are.
May God protect the Vatican and all Catholics. I’m sure the Vatican is on the hit list for these barbarians.
Prayer for Iraq
O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings
and the bestower of affection,
who sendest peace to those that receive it;
Open to us this day the sea of thy love
and water us with plenteous streams
from the riches of thy grace
and from the most sweet springs of thy kindness.
Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace,
enkindle in us the fire of thy love;
sow in us thy fear;
strengthen our weakness by thy power;
bind us closely to thee and to each other
in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity:
Syrian Clementine Liturgy (in: For all God’s people; p. 73)
The full text of Patriarch Sako’s prayer for peace follows:
Lord,
The plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of Christians
is severe and frightening.
Therefore, we ask you Lord
to spare our lives, and to grant us patience,
and courage to continue our witness of Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the foundation of life;
Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us
to live with each other without fear and anxiety,
and with dignity and joy.
Glory be to you forever. Amen.
Litany for Iraq
For lasting peace in this ancient land – From you, O Lord.
For wisdom and compassion for all in authority – From you, O Lord.
For comfort for families separated or bereaved – From you, O Lord.
For the release of captives – From you, O Lord.
For safety and security for minority communities.
For refreshment for the weary and healing for the sick – From you, O Lord.
For continuing faithfulness of the ancient churches of this land – From you, O Lord.
For tenacity of spirit for small Christian groups – From you, O Lord.
For the mutual enrichment and support of those of different Christian traditions – From you, O Lord.
You, Lord of all, we confess;
You, Lord Jesus, we glorify;
For you are the life of our bodies
And you are the Saviour of our souls.
The response in the litany and this hymn both come from the Chaldean liturgy. The ancient hymn celebrates Christ the source of resurrection in all situations of death and deprivation. (in: With All God’s People, p. 21, 22)
From Anonymous:
Father God, Our Savior and King,
We come to You in despair over the evil being done to our Middle East Christian brothers and sisters. We ask that You would put Your hand of protection upon them and that You would sustain them as You did the Israelites in the desert. Lord, cause our brothers and sisters to cry out to You for help and show them the peace that only You can give in answer to their needs. In their darkest moments, Lord, keep them, strengthen them, and comfort them. When they despair that no one is coming to help them, Lord, reveal Your glory and restore their souls.
We ask you these things in the blessed name of Your precious son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Fixed it
Any Muslim religious leader that spoke against these murderous bustards will likely have his throat cut and have a note pinned to his chest with a dagger that denounced him as an apostate.
Dear Pope Francis: The goal of Islam is world domination. Their motto is “Kill all the Christians and Jews”. You knew that. History told you so. Wake Up!! Stop trying to be friends with everyone.
Nonsense. The only thing that would jeopardize the future of interreligious dialogue is if the terrorists starting saying the Catholic mass—in Latin.
“No cause, no religion, can justify such barbarity”
Oh, yes it can.
Get back to me when the Pope calls for a crusade.
Hee, Hee, Hee! It is the same as us expecting and waiting for the black community leaders (including Bam and MO) in this country to publicly speak up criticize and condemn the black gimedats Rioting and Looting in MO ... never going to happen.
Obviously Pope Fairness doesn’t know the followers of Prophet Mad Mo well.
One more time, for clarity.
Islam is not a “religion.” It is not a faith. It is an oppressive, misogynistic, tyrannical political system (called sharia) masquerading under the trappings of a religion.
By contrast, communism is a religion, a faith system (which changes its name from time to time, representing itself as socialism, progressivism, liberalism), which masquerades as an oppressive, misogynistic (has president Obeyme started paying his female white house staff the extra 25% they’re due?), tyrannical political system.
It’s why they get along so well.
Your Holiness, WAKE UP and SMELL THE COFFEE!
The Vatican is filled with very literate people, so it’s a shame that they haven’t bothered to read the Koran and realize that ISIL is following the Koran to the letter. When Muslims are not in power, Taqiyya permits them to deceive and lie to non-Muslims about Islam and their true intentions. Then when Muslims gain power, they rule by the sword to force infidels to convert or die, or else to live as Dhimmis by obeying Islamic laws and paying the Jizya (a punitive tax that Muslims do not have to pay). Naivete can be fatal when dealing with Muslims.
I have heard that Al Qaeda has denounced ISIS as to radical, but have no proof. Iran is actively backing them.
Holy Father, the Muslim leaders are barbarians, will remain barbarians and have always been barbarians. They are servants of Satan.
I hope so. The real problem today is Christians have no ability to respond as we have no “Christian States”. No Catholic, No Orthodox, No Protestant, No Nothing. How do we influence USA behavior with this President? Truth is Satan has been working overtime in the last 250 years and the fruits of that labor are evident. Bread and Circus, happy times have obscured the truth.
The bearded subhuman savages really don’t care. They love killing.
Creatures that are lower than dung beetles that eat dung from sick camels are not going to listen to a man of God, such as the Pope.
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