POPE: “MAY WEAPONS FALL SILENT, SITUATION IN GAZA IS DESPERATE” – AN INHUMAN ACT – HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM CONDEMN ATTACK ON GAZA HOSPITAL – WHO WILL BE WRITING THE CRUCIAL SUMMARY REPORT OF THE SYNOD? – A “MEDIA SYNOD” VERSUS THE REAL SYNOD? – POPE FRANCIS MEETS WITH U.S. LGBT GROUP PREVIOUSLY DENOUNCED BY VATICAN

POPE: “MAY WEAPONS FALL SILENT, SITUATION IN GAZA IS DESPERATE”

Appealing for peace in the Holy Land, Pope Francis expresses concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons and all Christians to pray and fast on 27 October for peace.

By Francesca Merlo (Vatican news)

“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate.”

With these words, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Palestine and Israel pleading that “everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the Holy Father also drew attention to the unsettling possibility of the conflict’s expansion.

“The world already witnesses so many open war fronts,” he lamented.

In light of these circumstances, he implored, “Lay down weapons and heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children.”

“War solves no problems,” he said. “It only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future, it erases the future.”

The Holy Father went on to urge all believers to take one side only: that of peace. “But not with words,” he continued, “with prayer and with total dedication.”

Invitation to a day of penance
In this regard, Pope Francis invited everyone to a day of prayer, fasting, and penance for peace.

On Friday, 27 October, he encouraged people of different Christian denominations, other religions, and all those who advocate for peace to participate as they see fit.

The central event will be an hour of prayer at 6 PM in St. Peter’s Square, with the goal of invoking peace for the world.

“I invite all the particular Churches to take part by organizing similar initiatives which involve the people of God,” he concluded.

AN INHUMAN ACT

(Vatican news editorial) The massacre of hundreds of innocent civilians in a hospital in Gaza cries out to the international community. A humanitarian catastrophe must be avoided, as must the outbreak of a war with unimaginable consequences.

By Andrea Tornielli

The massacre of civilians that took place in Gaza last night, striking the al-Ahli Arabi Anglican hospital, is an inhuman act. The attack claimed hundreds of civilian casualties, including many women and children.

Gaza evacuation –

TO CONTINUE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2023-10/an-inhuman-act-gaza-al-ahli-hospital-anglican.html

HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM CONDEMN ATTACK ON GAZA  HOSPITAL

Mourning civilian victims of the massacre in Gaza and extending solidarity to the Episcopal diocese of Jerusalem: TO CONTINUE: https://www.lpj.org/posts/statement-for-the-patriarchs-and-heads-of-the-churches-in-jerusalem-about-the-attack-of-al-ahli-anglican-hospital-in-gaza.html

WHO WILL BE WRITING THE CRUCIAL SUMMARY REPORT OF THE SYNOD?

Chief spokesman Paolo Ruffini told reporters last week that the drafters are assisted by collaborators called ‘sherpas’ and added that ‘it makes no sense to give their names.’

VATICAN CITY — As well as withholding the names of who is seated in which small groups, the Vatican is also declining to share with journalists the complete list of those who will be drafting the final synthesis report that will bring together all the contributions of the small groups and the General Congregations. TO CONTINUE: https://www.ncregister.com/news/synod-on-synodality-who-will-be-writing-the-crucial-summary-report-of-the-synod?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

A “MEDIA SYNOD” VERSUS THE REAL SYNOD?

Is there a “media synod” running parallel to the Synod of Bishops’ assembly that’s currently being held at the Vatican, where 365 voting members have gathered to discuss synodality and the future of the Church?

In fact, it’s a classic question when major meetings of this kind take place at Catholicism’s bureaucratic center. And it’s been that way for over half a century. Benedict XVI, before stepping down as pope in 2013, told the priests of Rome that he was convinced that this happened at the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). “There was the Council of the Fathers – the real Council – but there was also the Council of the media. Thus, the Council that reached the people with immediate effect was that of the media, not that of the Fathers,” the late pope said. TO CONTINUE: https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/a-media-synod-versus-the-real-synod/18530?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Mailjet_18Oct23N1&cmid=5cdecc6f-5f2f-43e4-8070-d8aef64c86c0

POPE FRANCIS MEETS WITH U.S. LGBT GROUP PREVIOUSLY DENOUNCED BY VATICAN

Pope Francis met Tuesday at his residence with leadership from the U.S. LGBT organization New Ways Ministry, which was previously denounced by both the U.S. bishops’ conference and the Vatican’s doctrinal office for causing confusion on sexual morality among the Catholic faithful. TO CONTINUE: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255724/pope-francis-meets-with-us-lgbt-group-previously-denounced-by-vatican

FROM THE VATICAN: “EVERY WAR IS DEFEAT”

The Vatican today published the interventions of five participants in the Synod on Synodality, in addition to reports by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, general rapporteur of the synod. Those talks may be found here:  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city.html

FROM THE VATICAN: “EVERY WAR IS DEFEAT”

Pope prays for peace in Israel and Palestine: ‘Every war is a defeat!’

Pope Francis calls for attacks to cease as he prays for peace in Israel and Palestine.

“Please stop the attacks and the weapons,” Pope Francis pleaded on Sunday, “and understand that terrorism and war do not lead to any solution, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”

“War is always a defeat! Every war is a defeat!” he insisted.

Speaking after the Angelus prayer on Sunday, the Holy Father said he is following “with apprehension and sorrow,” the latest news from Israel, “where violence has erupted even more ferociously, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries.” https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-at-angelus-war-is-a-defeat-every-war-is-a-defeat.html

Churches call for de-escalation in Holy Land after Hamas attack

Following the large-scale attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants, the Patriarchs and heads of Churches in Jerusalem call for the immediate cessation of all violence and military activities, reiterating that everything is lost with war.

Pope Francis’ impassioned appeal for peace in the Holy Land during the Angelus on Sunday is one of the several voices from Churches around the world calling for an immediate de-escalation of the violence unleashed on 7 October by an Hamas attack which prompted Israel to issue an official declaration of war (“Operation Swords of Iron”).

Death toll rising
The Palestinian Islamist organization’s unprecedented land-sea-air military operation (“Al-Aqsa Storm”), considered to be the deadliest terrorist attack on Israel in its modern history, reportedly killed some 700 Israelis, including many civilians, while around 100 were taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll in Israeli retaliatory strikes has risen to over 400, and more than 2,750 people have been wounded. Tens of thousands (70,000 according UNRWA, the UN agency that provides essential services to Palestinians) in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have fled their homes. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-10/churches-urge-for-de-escalation-in-holy-land-after-hamas-attack.html

Cardinal Parolin decries “terrible and despicable attack” against Israel

OCTOBER 9 – Speaking at a conference on the pontificate of Pius XII and Jewish-Christian relations, the Vatican Secretary of State expresses the Pope’s sorrow for the violence in the Holy Land. He says “terrorism, violence, barbarism and extremism undermine the legitimate aspiration of Palestinians and Israelis.” He expresses hopes that reason will prevail over weapons.

Sirens warning of incoming rockets sound around Gaza, near Tel Aviv  (AMIR COHEN) –

Cardinal Pietro Parolin has condemned the attack on Israel that took place last Saturday 7 October, calling it a “terrible and despicable” act that has saddened the Pope who has expressed his condolences for all the dead and injured caused by the latest wave of violence. The Vatican Secretary of State expressed these words in his opening address at a three-day conference starting on Monday at the Pontifical Gregorian University entitled “The New Documents from the Pontificate of Pope Pius XII and their Meaning for Jewish-Christian Relations.”

Cardinal Parolin said, “I would have never thought to begin, today, my speech with the dutiful, sad obligation to share and convey the sorrow that the Holy Father expressed yesterday at what is happening in Israel. Two days ago, on the day of the Sabbath, on the feast of Simchat Torah, the joy of the Torah, in Israel, many Israeli brothers and sisters were awakened by a terrible and despicable attack. We are close to the families of the victims, to the thousands of wounded, to those who are missing and kidnapped and now in grave danger.” https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/cardinal-parolin-decries-terrible-attack-against-israel.html

Cardinal Parolin: War in Holy Land ‘beyond imagination’

OCTOBER 8 – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin expresses his sorrow for the outbreak of war in the Middle East, calling for peaceful and alternative solutions to real problems.

The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has expressed his dismay at the renewed outbreak of violence in the Holy Land.

“The real problems that arise must be solved with quite different methods,” he said.

Cardinal Parolin made the remarks on Sunday as he spoke at a cultural event in the Italian city of Camaldoli.

Before beginning his speech at the Benedictine-organized event, the Cardinal recalled the escalation of violence in Israel after Hamas militants carried out a surprise attack on Saturday.

Hopes for peace in jeopardy
“Our thoughts are with what is happening in the Middle East, in Israel, Palestine, and the Gaza Strip,” said Cardinal Parolin.  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/cardinal-parolin-the-war-in-holy-land-is-beyond-imagination.html