EUROPE/GERMANY - The Church in Germany hosts ecumenical service for victims of South East Asia seaquake tragedy. “Love is stronger than death!” says Cardinal Lehmann, president of the German Bishops’ Conference

Monday, 10 January 2005

Berlin (Fides Service) - At an ecumenical service at the Berlin Catholic cathedral on Sunday 9 January Germany prayed for the victims of the tragic seaquake which struck south east Asia in which many German holiday makers were killed. The service, presided by Cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Pastor Wolfgang Huber President of the German Lutheran Church was attended by leading state and government members as well as relatives of those who died and many other people.
In his homily the President of the German Bishops’ Conference President spoke of the general sense of dismay and bewilderment in front of the unimaginable vastness of the catastrophe. “We have to accept this natural disaster which revealed our powerlessness and fragility despite our abilities and admirable knowledge...and that for this inconceivable suffering there was no understandable motive”. The Cardinal underlined the importance of solidarity and in various ways: “This is a time to think more in global terms of social and humanitarian aid. This event pushes us on the path of global solidarity. Indeed this tragedy could mark the beginning of a new epoch”. By way of conclusion the Cardinal said he prayed that all those who are grieving and suffering would truly experience that “love is stronger than death”. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 10/01/2005 - 18 righe, 229 parole)


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