Act now to avert Christian 'genocide' in Middle East: Vatican Secretary of State
October 20, 2014
The international community must take action “to prevent possible new genocides” in the Middle East, Cardinal Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in an afternoon address to a consistory of cardinals in Rome on October 20.
The Vatican Secretary of State said that the defense of Christians in the Middle East must be understood as a key question of human rights. The disappearance of the Christian presence would be a historic tragedy, he said—not least because the members of the Christian minority have been “artificers of peace, reconciliation, and development” in ther region.
“Fundamental principles, such as the value of life, human dignity, religious liberty, and peaceful coexistence among peoples and individuals are at stake” in the current struggles in the Middle East, Cardinal Parolin said. He called for action to resolve the longstanding dispute between Israelis and Palestinians, and to stop the current bloodshed in Syria and Iraq.
Regarding the threat posed by the Islamic State, the cardinal emphasized that “it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor.” He quickly added, “always, however, in a manner consistent with international law.”
Moreover, Cardinal Parolin continued, it should be clear that military action alone will not provide a real solution to the problem. He called for broader action to stop terrorism, including especially efforts to adress “the sourcea that sustain terrorist activities through more-or-less clear political support, as well as through illegal commerce in oil and the supply of weapons and technology.”
Cardinal Parolin ended his address by saying that all Christians throughout the world should be mindful of their duty “to sustain our brothers and sisters in Christ with prayer and with every possible means.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
