BISHOP VLADIMIR FEKETE CELEBRATED A HOLY MASS FOR THE PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND

Parish-news

In connection with large-scale armed clashes in the Holy Land, which resulted in numerous casualties among the civilian population, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, appealed to the parishes and religious communities of the Patriarchate with a call to pray and fast for  establishing of peace.

On October 15, Pope Francis, addressing pilgrims after reciting the Angelus prayer, called on all believers to join the Church in the Holy Land and dedicate Tuesday, October 17 to prayer and fasting for peace.

“Prayer is a gentle and holy force that counters the devilish force of hatred, terrorism and war,” noted the Holy Father.

On October 17, in response to the call of Pope Francis and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Catholics of Azerbaijan gathered in the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for the speedy establishment of peace in the Holy Land and wherever wars and conflicts occur. The Holy Mass of peace and reconciliation was celebrated by the Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Bishop Vladimir Fekete.

In his cermon Bishop Vladimir Fekete also said:

“We are all deeply shocked by the tragic events of recent days. The Holy Land was added to the numerous centers of bloody wars and terror. The Holy Land – this is how we  Catholics call the places where Jesus Christ lived, taught, suffered, died, but also rose from the dead. Over the past ten days, the Holy Land has become a land of bleeding and extreme suffering.

There are no easy solutions to this painful situation. Therefore, the Church today calls on all people of good will to fast and pray for peace. For the Lord said: there is evil that can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.

As people of faith, we should not rush to judgment. Good and evil are not defined by national boundaries. The line between good and evil passes through the heart of every person. The more we are able to resist the temptation of evil and hatred, the more open we are to goodness, the clearer our hope for peace and reconciliation will become.

May the merciful God heal all wounds, strengthen our faith and show us a Christian way out of this difficult situation. Amen”