The damaged statue of St. Agnes found in the ruins of a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Nagasaki, Japan in 1945 Catholics must accompany the excluded and discarded – Pope
Christians are called to tend to the wounds of the suffering and the downtrodden just like the apostles who brought comfort and healing to those in need, Pope Francis said.
The Church does not close its eyes when confronted with the sufferings of others but instead “knows how to look at humanity in the face to create meaningful relationships, bridges of friendships and solidarity”, the Pope said during his weekly general audience last week.
It is a “Church without borders that is a mother to all, that knows how to take them by the hand and accompany them to lift up, not to condemn”, he said. “Jesus always, always stretches forth his hand, he always seeks to raise up to help people heal, be happy and encounter God.”
Reflecting on the words spoken by Peter and John before healing a disabled man asking for alms at the entrance to the temple, the Pope said the man, who was excluded from the temple because it was believed that his illness was caused by his sins or the sins of his parents, represents “the many excluded and discarded of society”.
This exclusion from the temple, which was a “place of economic and financial exchange”, still occurs today in the Church, he added.
Chaldean Church prelate shows concern for Iraq
The Chaldean Catholic Church is a Church of martyrs, Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako of Babylon told Pope Francis last week. “Our Chaldean Church, since the early centuries, was a missionary Church which announced the Gospel reaching as far as China, and gave so many martyrs and continues to give today,” Cardinal Sako wrote in an August 4 letter to the Pope. “It has always been a Church of martyrs throughout its history.”
Cardinal Sako, who was elevated to cardinal last year, wrote that Muslim citizens of Iraq are also suffering and losing their lives.
“We hope that our common suffering is a sign of hope for a better future,” he noted. “The Chaldean Church, like the other Eastern churches, are a great sign for the universal Church and for other Christians in their commitment to life.”
Japanese bishops have high hopes for Francis visit
With the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, the bishops of Japan are renewing calls and prayers to build peace by abolishing nuclear weapons worldwide and promoting integral human development.
They also expressed hope that Pope Francis’ visit in November and his expected calls for peace will strengthen people’s desire and boost efforts to bring about a nuclear weapon-free world.
The first atomic bomb used in warfare was dropped by the United States on Hiroshima August 6, 1945, killing more than 100,000 people. On August 9 another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing about 74,000 people. Japan surrendered on August 15.
Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami of Nagasaki, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, said in a message that guaranteeing peace and security in the world required “not only to eliminate the nuclear threat by abolishing nuclear weapons, but at the same time to make all people richer in all aspects” through integral human development.
He said the bishops were looking forward to Pope Francis bringing “a new peace message to the world” during his expected visit.