Appeal for Uganda and Sudan

"How Can We Remain Indifferent?" Asks John Paul II

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 26, 2004 (Catholic Online) - Here is a translation of the address John Paul II gave Sunday before praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered at the papal summer residence.

* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

1. During these days of relaxation and rest, I often think of the tragic conditions being endured in diverse parts of the world. Today, in particular, I would like to draw your attention to the tragic events that characterize, for a long time now, some countries of the beloved African continent.

2. For over 18 years, the North of Uganda has been scourged by an inhuman conflict, which affects million of people, especially children. Many of them, gripped by fear and deprived of a future, feel constrained to "become soldiers." I appeal to the international community and to the national political authorities to put an end to this tragic conflict and to offer a real prospect of peace to the whole Ugandan nation.

Also worrying is the situation in which the beloved peoples of Darfur find themselves, in the western area of Sudan bordering with Chad. The war, which has intensified in recent months, brings with it ever more poverty, despair and death. Two decades of bitter confrontations have resulted in a great number of dead, displaced persons and refugees in Sudan. How can we remain indifferent? I make a heartfelt appeal to political authorities and international organizations, so that they will not forget these brothers of ours who suffer so much.

3. The Christian community is mobilizing to address these emergencies. In Uganda, the bishops, helped by other dioceses of the world and by voluntary organizations, are working with generosity for national reconciliation and to help people in difficulty. In Darfur, I wished to send precisely in these days the president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, so that he would take to those trouble peoples the spiritual and material solidarity of the Holy See and the universal Church.

I invite all Christians to pray for our brothers and sisters of Africa, a continent on which I invoke the maternal protection of Mary.

[After praying the Angelus, John Paul II greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]

To all the English-speaking visitors who have joined in our prayer today, I offer warm greetings. May the Lord always keep you and your families in his loving care.

Contact

The Vatican
https://www.catholic.org , VA
Pope John Paul II - Bishop of Rome, 661 869-1000

Email

info@yourcatholicvoice.org

Keywords

Pope, Africa, Sudan, Uganda, War, Children

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »