Urgent Appeal for Peace: Good Friday Collection for the Holy Places
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, has issued a heartfelt appeal to all Churches worldwide ahead of the upcoming Good Friday Collection for the Holy Places. In his message, he calls for dialogue as a crucial step towards achieving peace in the troubled regions.
By Stefano Leszczynski
In a recent letter addressed to Bishops, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti stressed the significance of the upcoming Good Friday Collection, highlighting the turmoil and devastation that have plagued the Holy Land due to ongoing violence and conflict.
Speaking to Vatican Media, the Cardinal emphasized the urgent need to end the suffering in the region, stating, “Dialogue is sometimes extremely difficult, but it saves lives. The only condition for dialogue is respect for the other.”
The Pope’s Unwavering Voice
Cardinal Gugerotti underscored the Pope’s unwavering commitment to peace, noting that military force cannot be the solution to achieving lasting peace. He also highlighted the crises in various regions and praised Pope Francis for being a strong advocate for peace in the face of adversity.
Reflecting on the absence of the Pope’s voice during his recent illness, the Cardinal remarked, “When the Pope is silent, the world is silent. His voice is the one that speaks for human dignity, and when it falls silent, no other voices are heard.”
Defending Human Dignity
Amid the challenges faced by the Christian communities in the Holy Land, Cardinal Gugerotti emphasized the Church’s commitment to defending human life and dignity. He highlighted the impact of the ongoing crises on planned projects in the region and stressed the importance of the Good Friday Collection in providing crucial support.
Describing the situation in the Holy Land as inhumane, the Cardinal urged for a unified effort to address the pressing needs of the vulnerable communities.
He reiterated the significance of the Good Friday Collection as a vital source of aid for the Holy Land, emphasizing the need for it to remain a top priority for the Church.
Preserving Christian Communities
While the collection traditionally focused on preserving holy sites, Cardinal Gugerotti highlighted the urgent need to safeguard the Christian communities themselves. He expressed concern over the potential mass exodus of Christians from the region and emphasized the importance of their presence as a living testimony of faith.
He stressed that the Church’s advocacy extends to all persecuted and marginalized individuals, reaffirming the commitment to defending human dignity in all circumstances.
Hope for a Better Future
Despite the challenges faced by the Holy Land, Cardinal Gugerotti remained hopeful for a better future. He emphasized the importance of pilgrimages as acts of solidarity and witness to those experiencing injustice.
As the Church prepares for Easter and the Jubilee of Hope, the Cardinal acknowledged the limitations faced by Eastern Christians in accessing sacred sites due to conflict and poverty.
He concluded with a message of faith and perseverance, stating, “We Christians stubbornly believe in the prophecy of a better world. We must defeat what we call sin, because all these sufferings are sins—not only social sins but also political ones.”
