COMMITMENT AND PRAYER FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

“Benedict XVI’s journey to Cyprus will be rich in symbols and meanings”. Interviewed by SIR, Mgr. Antonio Franco, apostolic nuncio to Israel and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, commented on the forthcoming visit of Benedict XVI to Cyprus (4-6 June). “It is the first visit by a Pontiff to the island – said the Nuncio –, which is why this visit takes on special meaning: for the missionary dimension, as he will follow in St. Paul’s footsteps, for the pastoral dimension, as he will meet with the Church of Cyprus, and for ecumenism, as he will meet with the local Orthodox Church and other religious leaders”. Nevertheless, added Mgr. Franco, “there is a wider dimension, that is, the Middle East dimension, towards which Benedict XVI continues to multiply his efforts and direct his prayer to promote reconciliation and peace”. There is also a clear reference to the Instrumentum Laboris for the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Middle East (10-24 October). “The hope is that this journey will promote positive developments not only in the religious realm, but also in the political one”, concluded the nuncio. “The Church of Cyprus belongs to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and to the Custody of the Holy Land. Politically, however, Cyprus is a member of the European Union, even though the island is divided”. With regard to the Israeli navy attack on the Freedom Flotilla, the Nuncio did not make any comment.

© SIR - 31 maggio 2010