Call for united prayer for peace in Syria and World: 7th September

lmaopml

Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday.

Full Article:
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-appeal-for-peace-full-text

There has been a tremendous response by Christians world over to appeals for a united prayer for peace in Syria on Saturday 7th September. Christians are responding to the call and also Muslims to spend a day in common prayer - Jerusalem, Egypt, The Chaldean Church, Orthodox among so many other parishes and centres all over the world from east to west north and south in a common call...

Please remember to raise your voice with us on Saturday, and if possible ask for this special intention to be included at your Mass or Service or indeed if you are just praying alone in your own home.

A couple of examples of so many responses flooding in....

Damascus - In St. Peter's Square or in the great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badreddin Hassou , spiritual leader of Sunni Islam, welcomes the Pope's appeal and will be there praying and fasting for peace in his country. The Mufti sent, through the Apostolic Nunciature in Damascus, an official letter to Pope Francis and is preparing to participate in the special pro-Syria day on September 7...

Full Article:

http://www.news.va/en/news/asiasyria-letter-from-the-grand-mufti-of-damascus

"All Syrians, Christians and non-Christians, hope that prayer and fasting serve to stop violence, violations of human dignity, announced military attacks. As Syrian Christians, we share the heart and spirit of the Pope. We join him, thank him and hope he can help us": This is what was said to Fides Agency by the Greek - Catholic Maria Saadeh, member of Parliament in Damascus, in view of the day of prayer and fasting on September. "We really appreciate Pope Francis’ appeal – she explains to Fides – we remark the fundamental reasons to try to build peace in Syria and the Middle East. For years we have been working to build peace and harmony in the composite Syrian society. We have much to do to maintain a peaceful coexistence".

Full Article:

http://www.news.va/en/news/asiasyria-the-christian-mp-maria-saadeh-stop-the-a


Thanks guys.

lmaopml

100,000 people have died due to a civil war in Syria in the last two years alone - Over 1/2 a million Christians are either evacuated, are refugees or dead too who have been caught in the crossfire.


Please think about that when we argue the small stuff....??





Seriously, this is a big deal - The people of Syria are an ancient people who have historically been able to live together, and indeed have been able to negotiate their way through the centuries better than most, and even learned to live with minority groups who identify as Muslims in a mixed bag..

Violence against them will not work to restore peace - only united talking will. We know this in Ireland, I'm quite sure, we had almost 800 years of no talking at all.

Tomorrow is not a political stance, but a moral stance based on past knowledge of how violence begets violence, and a prayer that our international leaders will rise above themselves and sit and actually talk, because our own children depend for their lives on it.

We're not that removed..and mistakes are made, and hopefully we learn from them - it's learning from them that counts, and being brave doesn't necessitate violence, but the brave way is not drawing lines in the sand but making sure that they start across a table.

Busted Flat.

I reckon that day will be really appreciated by the US's new friends in Al Quieda.

lmaopml

Busted Flat. wrote: »

I reckon that day will be really appreciated by the US's new friends in Al Quieda.

I don't blame the US for getting involved in world affairs, or for making mistakes sometimes - It's learning from them that is at stake and studying how that influence worked. I'm not a total cynic, I wouldn't survive if I was cynical about Europe itself -

We work together or we don't and people (ironically the ones we profess to safeguard) will pay the price. Our leaders are being asked to be very brave, and not in a military way, because it doesn't work. To get the act together and just 'talk' - It only involves walking across the room in an act of humility and an open floor to have a dialogue and not a 'stage' to display a standoff.

hinault

The initiative by Pope Francis seems to be gaining more widespread support.
This is to be welcomed

Busted Flat.

lmaopml wrote: »

I don't blame the US for getting involved in world affairs, or for making mistakes sometimes - It's learning from them that is at stake and studying how that influence worked. I'm not a total cynic, I wouldn't survive if I was cynical about Europe itself -

We work together or we don't and people (ironically the ones we profess to safeguard) will pay the price. Our leaders are being asked to be very brave, and not in a military way, because it doesn't work. To get the act together and just 'talk' - It only involves walking across the room in an act of humility and an open floor to have a dialogue and not a 'stage' to display a standoff.

Where does prayer come into this, where did prayer come in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, go back a bit in time Vietnam. The US do not give a fook about its young they are just cannon fodder.

lmaopml

Busted Flat. wrote: »

Where does prayer come into this, where did prayer come in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, go back a bit in time Vietnam. The US do not give a fook about its young they are just cannon fodder.

The US are not the 'baddies' - the people who are killing innocents are.

There is a moral choice to be made.

To go in or not, to tip the balance of power in a 'civil war' where neither side that fights is speaking for the ordinary person who is dying - The moral choice is not an exhaustive one, it's the one where people and leaders are called to account to sit around a table and not drop bombs, or kill their own brothers - or use a peace table to not talk.

100,000 people are far too many, it's time to forget the 'lines' drawn - and start building a bridge instead. Unless we are ignorant of history, because that never worked - engaging with others works, not 'sides'.

Busted Flat.

lmaopml wrote: »

The US are not the 'baddies' - the people who are killing innocents are.

There is a moral choice to be made.

To go in or not, to tip the balance of power in a 'civil war' where neither side that fights is speaking for the ordinary person who is dying - The moral choice is not an exhaustive one, it's the one where people and leaders are called to account to sit around a table and not drop bombs, or kill their own brothers - or use a peace table to not talk.

100,000 people are far too many, it's time to forget the 'lines' drawn - and start building a bridge instead. Unless we are ignorant of history, because that never worked - engaging with others works, not 'sides'.

Could you explain to me the difference between Depleted uranium and the use of sarin gas.

Benny_Cake

US intervention in this case is largely motivated by the need to be seen to be doing something - anything - as a result of Obama's ill-advised "red line" remarks. It's impossible to see what good can come from lobbing a few cruise missiles into Syria rights now. I think the remarks of Pope Francis are to be welcomed though. There is an interesting interview with the prominent theologian and pacifist Stanley Hauerwas here - well worth a read:

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/09/what-makes-america-so-prone-to-intervention/279393/

lmaopml

Busted Flat. wrote: »

Could you explain to me the difference between Depleted uranium and the use of sarin gas.

No, I couldn't. I saw the news stories and the victims the same way as most of the world did. I saw people, real human beings suffering from the effects and I was appalled that it happened, and not a little shocked into putting into perspective my day to day trials in Ireland in the face of real people who are suffering terribly - and I had empathy for them, because they could be me in another time or place.

There is a suggestion to the solution to an outrage. I think there is a better way than punishment imposed - It never worked, think Serbia, Yugoslavia.

Talking works, even belligerent talking works across a table. We know this in Ireland, we could write the story - we've learned more in the process than in the denial of dialogue. People will die when dialogue fails and leaders don't exhaust every single means to do so..

brian_t

Busted Flat. wrote: »

Could you explain to me the difference between Depleted uranium and the use of sarin gas.

There are not many ways in which Irish Christians can try to help stop the carnage taking place in Syria right now.

Praying for peace there is something positive we can do though.

In my opinion discussing the difference between Depleted uranium and the use of sarin gas on an Irish Forum is really the equivalent of doing nothing.

fatmammycat

brian_t wrote: »

There are not many ways in which Irish Christians can try to help stop the carnage taking place in Syria right now.

Praying for peace there is something positive we can do though.

In my opinion discussing the difference between Depleted uranium and the use of sarin gas on an Irish Forum is really the equivalent of doing nothing.

So is praying, if you were honest about it. It's not doing something positive, it's a passive pointless gesture.

Faith2013

fatmammycat wrote: »

So is praying, if you were honest about it. It's not doing something positive, it's a passive pointless gesture.

Not if you have faith. This is the Christian forum.

brian_t

fatmammycat wrote: »

So is praying, if you were honest about it. It's not doing something positive, it's a passive pointless gesture.

Praying is something positive. I was been honest.

georgieporgy

EWTN is covering the the vigil live with commentary from vatican radio. Oficial count is 100,000 in St Peter's sq praying silently in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with occasional readings and choir.

lmaopml

This evening I'm delighted to say that our Parish responded to the call for united prayers. So very many are looking on wondering what it achieves...I think it achieves a lot!

In the meantime, somewhat of a break through with a voice calling for alternatives. I always knew there were strong people exactly where they are necessary, and that includes both Putin and Obama too, as crazy as it sounds..because they are necessary.

Still, here's a voice..

WASHINGTON – A New Jersey congressman weighing whether to support President Barack Obama’s call for punitive strikes against Syria is proposing a specialized court to investigate and punish war crimes committed in the country’s civil war.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th) peppered U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with tough questions on American foreign policy Wednesday, asking whether an American response could have unforeseen consequences or unnecessarily put civilian populations in the way of harm.

Kerry, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to lay down the Obama Administration’s argument for attacking Syria in response to the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population.

Comparing action in Syria to the 78-day bombing campaign of Serbian targets in response to the Kosovo genocide, Smith questioned the duration of intervention, asking whether authorization could lead to long term involvement in the conflict.....

Full Article..

http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2013/09/smith_proposes_syrian_tribunal_as_an_alternative_to_us_strikes.html

Sometimes it's really difficult to listen and not see somebody who is against one or see a traitor or a person ill advised - there is a fine line between telling the truth because we are set against, and telling the painful truth in love.

I do hope that the Syrian people know they are loved, and valued - they are so very brave, and even if we aren't always with them in body as much as we can, we are with those innocents in Spirit always. Heart to heart.

indy_man

Good on you Imaopml for posting this. Prayer is immensely powerful, we need to pray a lot. Even after this day of prayer we should keep prayers for peace in our daily prayers.


Here is one of many many sad stories coming from Syria.


"The Last Remaining Speakers of Aramaic — the Language Spoken by Jesus — Live in a Town in Syria under Attack from Rebel Units Being Supported by the United States"

http://themoynihanletters.com/pope-francis/letter-84-the-last-speakers-of-aramaic

SoulandForm

lmaopml wrote: »

The US are not the 'baddies' - the people who are killing innocents are.

There is a moral choice to be made.

Yes they are- the US has been acting on the wishes of Wahabi Saudi Arabia and the zionist entity in the region (it is gravely sinful to refer to such as "Israel") to destroy Christianity in the Middle East. Take a look at what the removal of the Baathist regime in Iraq did the to Christian population in that country. War is brutal and should never be glorified BUT sometimes it is the lesser of two evils .

You a fine with Franco's coup which included far worse things than Assad has been accused of and yet when Christianity is actually in danger of being wiped out in a country that has been so important for its development you are taking this position- why? I can think of several possible reasons but I wont put words in your mouth.

SoulandForm

Busted Flat. wrote: »

I reckon that day will be really appreciated by the US's new friends in Al Quieda.

The CIA was there at Al-Quieda's formation in Afghanistan. After the 9/11 attack the US has attacked against all the enemies of Al-Quieda in the region- Iraq, Syria, Libya and Iran. Its almost as if they said to Osma Bin Laden you take the blame for the twin towers and we will destroy all your foes.

You are right- the correct thing the Pope should have done was to call for prayer for victory of the Baathist forces against the Wahabi/NATO forces.

lmaopml

SoulandForm wrote: »

Yes they are- the US has been acting on the wishes of Wahabi Saudi Arabia and the zionist entity in the region (it is gravely sinful to refer to such as "Israel") to destroy Christianity in the Middle East. Take a look at what the removal of the Baathist regime in Iraq did the to Christian population in that country. War is brutal and should never be glorified BUT sometimes it is the lesser of two evils .

Ok SoulandForm, I'll respectfully have to agree to disagree. I'm aware that there are all sorts of self interests at stake in any violent conflict - and arms is big business, so too is oil and of course 'power'. I'm not a 'zionist' either - I'm a Catholic, mostly we don't go in for all that kind of stuff.

Christians are leaving the region because of the violence, and in many cases they are caught in the crossfire or even targeted. That's the sad state of affairs.

Personally, I don't see how lobbing a few missiles into Syria is going to help the situation. It only kills more people.

I agree with President Obama, and the Pope that something has to be done when over 100,000 people are dead in two years due to this conflict, and of course the use of chemical weapons is abhorrent. I think everybody agrees that 'something' should be done to bring about a way for these people to live in peace. The problem is agreeing on the 'method' to achieve that goal of peace.

I just think there are ways to find better alternatives, and to ask the international community to seek out a means to act in a united way that doesn't involve adding more arms to the conflict. Options like the Congressman suggested in my previous post.....Setting up a war crimes tribunal etc.

You a fine with Franco's coup which included far worse things than Assad has been accused of and yet when Christianity is actually in danger of being wiped out in a country that has been so important for its development you are taking this position- why? I can think of several possible reasons but I wont put words in your mouth.

I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean. I never said I 'loved' Franco or his coup, I said I understood 'why' it happened there is a big difference. My words are coming out fine out of my mouth, I think I may have a problem with communicating them properly to you however... Sorry about that, and yes, I would appreciate if you didn't assume the worst about me.

SoulandForm

lmaopml wrote: »

Christians are leaving the region because of the violence, and in many cases they are caught in the crossfire or even targeted. That's the sad state of affairs.

The FSA is deliberately purging Syria of Christians and other ethnic minorities. Just as their counter parts have largely purged Iraq of Christians and Mandaens, etc. Assad is up against very dangerous and evil people who are out to destroy his country.

So the violence of Assad- even if it ends up with "innocent" people being killed-can no way been as equally bad to the violence of the other side.

That is the reality.

Faith2013

SoulandForm wrote: »

The FSA is deliberately purging Syria of Christians and other ethnic minorities. Just as their counter parts have largely purged Iraq of Christians and Mandaens, etc. Assad is up against very dangerous and evil people who are out to destroy his country.

So the violence of Assad- even if it ends up with "innocent" people being killed-can no way been as equally bad to the violence of the other side.

That is the reality.

As posted above sadly that is the reality. Any intervention by the US will have worse long term effects than what is happening.

SoulandForm

lmaopml wrote: »

I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean. I never said I 'loved' Franco or his coup, I said I understood 'why' it happened there is a big difference. My words are coming out fine out of my mouth, I think I may have a problem with communicating them properly to you however... Sorry about that, and yes, I would appreciate if you didn't assume the worst about me.

The carpet bombing of towns and cities on a mass scale is understandable in your opinion than for very minor restrictions on religion- okay fair enough- why is what Assad doing not understandable given he is fighting for the very survival of whole cultures? Im not assuming anything- its a very strange position you are taking, incredibly strange.

lmaopml

I think possibly we can both agree that the violence has to stop yes?

100,000 human beings are dead - It has to stop. Finding a way forward for peace should be the goal of every person of good will whether they are Christian, Muslim, Jew or Atheist.

lmaopml

SoulandForm wrote: »

The carpet bombing of towns and cities on a mass scale is understandable in your opinion than for very minor restrictions on religion- okay fair enough- why is what Assad doing not understandable given he is fighting for the very survival of whole cultures? Im not assuming anything- its a very strange position you are taking, incredibly strange.

What position am I taking SoulandForm?

Faith2013

lmaopml wrote: »

I think possibly we can both agree that the violence has to stop yes?

100,000 human beings are dead - It has to stop. Finding a way forward for peace should be the goal of every person of good will whether they are Christian, Muslim, Jew or Atheist.

Maybe a united nations peacekeeping force, other than that taking out the Assads will bring in a worse goverment.

You obviously have not seen the video of how the rebels cut off the head of a franciscan priest.. The opposition has nothing to offer.

Its a sad situation of choosing the better of 2 evils.

lmaopml

If Putin and Obama could possibly cooperate it might help Faith2013. Instead of standing off, they could stand down and talk - The position I'm taking is that the international community don't turn a blind eye but don't use weapons either to resolve the conflict. It's about resolving the conflict rather than tipping the scales.....that never worked before.

As a Catholic, I don't believe there is a 'better' evil when so many human beings are dead.

Putting pressure on to resolve the conflict is the way forward and lobbing missiles in is not the answer - or just leaving them to it either, and turning a blind eye when something could be done.....

Hence the united call for peace from Christians, Muslims, Jews and Atheists who responded yesterday. People want peace and to find a means to pursue it without the use of more violence and weapons that could inflate the problems. The gesture yesterday was one of goodwill.

I don't understand how anybody could see something 'strange' or infer that there is anything untoward or nasty about me holding this opinion and getting involved yesterday praying for peace.

Benny_Cake

Faith2013 wrote: »

Maybe a united nations peacekeeping force, other than that taking out the Assads will bring in a worse goverment.

You obviously have not seen the video of how the rebels cut off the head of a franciscan priest.. The opposition has nothing to offer.

Its a sad situation of choosing the better of 2 evils.

For the sake of clarity, I believe that the priest in question was misidentified, and wasn't actually him who was beheaded. Doesn't take away from the brutality of it because someone was certainly beheaded. At the same time, significant elements of the rebels are little more than Jihadist thugs - and the longer this war drags on, the more serious of a problem this element will become.

On the other hand, Assad and his associated forces are thugs as well who are quite prepared to resort to anything to stay in power. A plague on both their houses, but behind it all are the suffering people of Syria, Muslims and Christians, alike. Lobbing a couple of cruise missiles isn't going to reduce their misery in the slightest. The only positive action at this point can be a concerted diplomatic push for a ceasefire while some form of peace negotiations take place. We may be beyond that at this point though.

Turtwig

Syria is a mess at the moment. Interfering or staying out of it may make absolutely no difference either way. Only thing interfering guarantees is that politically you'll be blamed for what happens after. My own personal opinion is that if they were to interfere the American's should have done it a year or more ago. It's far too late now.

lmaopml

I hope we aren't beyond that point Benny.

Anyway, I think all people of goodwill could continue the effort...

For my part as a Catholic, I'll continue to pray, others will do what they can too and perhaps put pressure on their own politicians and representatives to continue the effort..

brian_t

Jernal wrote: »

Syria is a mess at the moment. Interfering or staying out of it may make absolutely no difference either way. Only thing interfering guarantees is that politically you'll be blamed for what happens after. My own personal opinion is that if they were to interfere the American's should have done it a year or more ago. It's far too late now.

This thread was originally about a Call for united prayer for peace in Syria and World: 7th September by the Pope.

Considering the direction the thread has taken perhaps the Mods should consider moving it to the Conspiracy Theory forum. :pac:

lmaopml

brian_t wrote: »

This thread was originally about a Call for united prayer for peace in Syria and World: 7th September by the Pope.

Considering the direction the thread has taken perhaps the Mods should consider moving it to the Conspiracy Theory forum. :pac:

Oh no, please don't move it - it will go down the list and back up the list hopefully over time..


By the way, there are a number of charities supporting all those refugees that have been displaced in the crisis not that anybody needs reminding, but however....:o The winter is coming and they will need shelter, blankets, warm clothes, medicine and food etc. There is a real crisis. While I saw my own local Parish partake in prayer, I didn't see where to donate - Age Action were out in force, (another great charity ) but it would have been nice to see a collection for the refugees too considering..

Two charities I know are doing great work are UNICEF Ireland and Trocaire, but obviously there are many more too. If we could consider giving what we can no matter how small it helps. Just a little resolve to google your preferred ones and donate what you can if possible please.





For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me...

indy_man

With prayer for peace lots of good things happen. I notice more truth in media reports after focus on prayer.

Here is a nice story of a group in Syria hoping for peace.

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=52287#.Ui45VFrFWxY.twitter

BuilderPlumber

SoulandForm wrote: »

The CIA was there at Al-Quieda's formation in Afghanistan. After the 9/11 attack the US has attacked against all the enemies of Al-Quieda in the region- Iraq, Syria, Libya and Iran. Its almost as if they said to Osma Bin Laden you take the blame for the twin towers and we will destroy all your foes.

You are right- the correct thing the Pope should have done was to call for prayer for victory of the Baathist forces against the Wahabi/NATO forces.

9/11 and all that came after it was strange. The organisation al Qaeda was invented to make trouble for the Soviets in Afghanistan. The extent to which they remained some kind of US ally cannot be underestimated. Certainly, the US has attacked Saddam's Iraq and Gaddafi's Libya. It may do the same to Assad's Syria. It has threatened Iran. ALL enemies of al Qaeda. You note too that it still remains a game between America and Russia. Russia has close ties to Syria and Iran and the US want to take this from them.