Paul Keenan
Prayers for an end to terrorism
“We come to you today to ask you to keep in peace the world and its people, to keep far away from it the devastating wave of terrorism, to restore friendship and instil in the hearts of your creatures the gift of trust and of readiness to forgive.”
These were the words of Pope Francis on July 30 as he took a moment for solitary prayer amid the bustled of World Youth day in Poland.
Stopping at a church in Krakow to visit the relics of two Polish Franciscans murdered by guerrillas in Peru, the Pontiff offered his personal prayer for an end to terrorism everywhere.
“O Jesus, prince of peace, we pray to you for the ones who have been wounded in these acts of inhuman violence: children and young people, old people and innocent people accidentally involved in evil,” he prayed. “Heal their bodies and hearts; console them with your strength and, at the same time, take away any hatred and a desire for revenge.
“Touch the hearts of terrorists so that they may recognise the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness, of respect for the life and for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, origin, wealth or poverty. We ask for the gift of peace and of the elimination from our midst of the sore of terrorism.”
Cardinal rejects abuse allegations
Australia’s Cardinal George Pell, Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican, has denied allegations of sexual abuse levelled against him in his home country. Reacting to a media report on Australia’s ABC network that police in Victoria are actively investigating claims made by a number of people relating to alleged abuse between 1970 and 1990, Cardinal Pell insisted “the charges are untrue, I deny them absolutely.”
Stating further that he is “quite prepared to co-operate with the appropriate civil and appropriate procedures” on the matter, Cardinal Pell added, however, that “I won’t co-operate with trial by the media. I think it’s unjust and inappropriate”. He went on to call for an investigation into whether elements of the police had conspired with ABC to “pervert the course of justice” as police had not sought to interview him on the allegations until they received prominent coverage in the media.
I’m like any other Australian, I’m entitled to a fair go,” he said. “Untested allegations should be put through the proper procedures.”
A survivors group in Australia has called on Cardinal Pell to step aside from his Vatican post and return to Australia to address the allegations against him.
Pope Emeritus Benedict memoir due in November
The English translation version of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s autobiography, Last Testament, will be published in November. Long-time collaborator in the former Pope’s writings, German journalist Peter Seeward has assisted in the memoir’s completion, which, according to publisher Bloomsbury, will not shy away from aspects of the Benedict papacy considered controversial.
The book, a release from Bloomsbury said: “addresses [many] controversies and reveals how at his late age, governing and reforming the papacy and particularly the Vatican, was beyond him”. It adds: “But the book is also an autobiography – Pope Benedict starts by recalling his childhood in Germany under Hitler and the Nazis when he joined the Hitler Youth under duress. It goes on to cover his early life as a priest and eventually his appointment as Archbishop of Munich.”
Last Testament will be released simultaneously in Europe and US.