Bishop Pates Embarks on Fact-Finding Mission to Middle East
Bishop Richard E. Pates |
“Too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fueling hatred and vengeance,” Pope Francis said. “Let us never lose the courage of prayer! The courage to say: Lord, grant your peace to Syria and to the whole world. And I also invite non-believers to desire peace with that yearning that makes the heart grow: all united, either by prayer or by desire. But all of us, for peace.”
In Israel and Palestine, he will attend a meeting of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land. The Holy Land Coordination consists of representatives of Catholic bishops’ conferences of Europe, North America, and South Africa. The group will hold sessions and make visits:
• To understand the social, political and ecclesial realities of the Holy Land
• To advocate more effectively for justice and peace
• To support the efforts of the local Church especially through the work of Catholic agencies
• To support the mission of the Apostolic Nuncio especially regarding fundamental and basic agreements.
More information on the work of the Committee on International Justice and Peace can be found at: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/middle-east/israel-palestine/index.cfm