Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beirut (Fides Service) - Peace march in Beirut in memory of civil war victims: on 13 April Christian and Muslim leaders and hundreds of young Lebanese stage a peaceful march through the capital to the national monument where they laid olive branches as a sign of peace. The slogan was “Love, never again civil war”. The march was one of several inter-religious initiatives aimed at increasing awareness among young people and children and educating to peace.
In Rome, many Lebanese were present in St Peter’s for the 7th of nine special requiem Masses for Pope John Paul II celebrated on April 14, and organised and presided by Eastern Catholic Churches. The celebration was an occasion of encounter and intense prayer for Arab priests and seminarians and faithful from the Middle East present in Rome. The service was broadcast by some Arab television channels. In his homily Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch of Beirut, recalled Pope John Paul II’s great love for all the Churches of the East.
(AE) (Agenzia Fides 15/4/2005 12 righe 18 parole 189).
