Arms merchants increase suffering of Christians in Middle East, Pope charges
June 15, 2015
The world has finally begun noticing the suffering of Christians under persecution in the Middle East, Pope Francis said on June 15, but “traffickers of death” continue to encourage war that adds to their suffering.
In an address to representatives of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO), the Pope remarked that the Middle East is “marked by the footprints of those who seek refuge and soaked with the blood of many men and women, including numerous Christians persecuted for their faith.” He told the group—which is active in providing help for the Church in that region—that “in those eyes that asked for help and pleaded for peace and to return home there was Jesus Himself Who looked at you, asking for that charity that makes us Christians.”
Pope Francis voiced his dismay with the lack of progress toward peace and stability in the Middle East, saying that all responsible people hoped that “the seed of reconciliation would have borne greater fruits.” He denounced “the tacit agreements by which the lives of thousands and thousands of families – women, men, children, elderly – in the balance of interests appear to weigh less than petroleum and weapons.”
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!
