"Peace, so largely sought and awaited, is unfortunately still widely offended" in "vast areas of the Middle East": it was said today by Benedict XVI as he spoke to card. Ignace Moussa I Daoud, emeritus prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, and to the delegates of the bodies that are members of Roaco (Association of bodies in aid of the Eastern Churches), gathered for their yearly meeting. Peace, he added, "is offended in the hearts of the individuals, and this impairs interpersonal and community relations. The weakness of peace is further aggravated by old and new injustices. Thus it dies down, paving the way to violence, which often degenerates into a more or less declared war and even becomes, as it is happening today, a worrisome international issue". "With each one of you he explained , feeling in communion with all the Churches and the Christian communities, as well as with those who worship the name of God and look for it with a sincere conscience, and all the men of good will, I wish to knock again on the heart of God, the Maker and Father, to ask Him, with immense confidence, the gift of peace", as well as "on the heart of those who have specific responsibilities, that they may fulfil the serious duty of ensuring peace to everyone, without distinctions, freeing it of the deadly disease of religious, cultural, historical or geographical discrimination". (continued)
