Appeals for peace were made during all the liturgies in Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
At the Midnight Mass attended by President Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Prime
Minister, Salam Fayad and many pilgrims, Patriarch Fouad Twal (pictured)
said, "During this Christmas season, may the sound of the bells of our
churches drown the noise of weapons in our wounded Middle East, calling
all men to peace and the joy, a joy that radiates from every face, a
rejoicing that penetrates every heart!
"Let us pray together for peace: "Peace be upon Israel, Palestine,
our people and throughout the Middle East, so that our children may live
and grow in a peaceful and joyful environment.”
"Dear brothers and sisters, dear pilgrims, dear friends, the peace of
the Divine Child in the grotto be with you all! Do not leave us alone
in this difficult time and situation. Pray for us, we will do the same
for you. Merry Christmas!"
The Co-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate welcomed hundreds of the
faithful of Jerusalem who were invited by His Beatitude Patriarch Fouad
Twal for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Peace.
Mass
intention was for peace through the intercession of the Virgin Mary,
entrusting to her the affairs and concerns of the past year and the
intentions, hopes, dreams for the New Year.
Every year on New Year’s Day, Bishops, Patriarchal Exarchs, the
Custos, Abbots, superiors of religious congregations, nuns, priests,
families and young people of all nationalities gather around the altar
to pray for peace, Church unity, the persecuted Christians in the Middle
East, and for peace in the Holy Land and the world.
The Patriarch announced the attack on a community of Christians while
celebrating Mass on New Year's Eve, a tragedy in Alexandria, Egypt.
The car explosion caused 21 deaths and more than 50 people wounded.
“Despair, fear, and suffering must not turn us away from faith but
encourage us to call on the Lord for strength and courage to follow
Jesus our master in embracing the Cross.”
The Latin Patriarch reminded the congregation of Pope Benedict's
words, describing the Middle East Synod as "one of the most beautiful
and important events of 2010."
"Important themes such as ecumenical dialogue, strengthening of the
faith of the people of God inspired by the Word of God, the unity of
Christians were addressed in an atmosphere of intense ecclesial
communion among the participants. Thanks to religious communities for
the intensity of their prayers for the Synod.”
The Patriarch stated with conviction that “violence and force do not
lead to anything positive but have dramatically worsened our situation. Leaders and rulers are unable to make peace! Only Christ can give
peace, his peace is not one of the world!”
The Franciscan friars served at the altar, the Magnificat choir sang
beautiful and animated hymns.
After the final blessing, His Beatitude
and a number of Ordinaries of the Holy Land received greetings and
wishes of the faithful for the New Year.
SIC: CIN/IE