Pope says anniversary of Nazi massacre points to need for peace

Published: 2004-06-16

ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE, France (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II said the 60th anniversary of a Nazi massacre in France is a reminder of the need for all countries to build a "society of peace and fraternity." "At a time when the people of Europe are marching along the path of unity, this anniversary invites our contemporaries not to forget past sufferings and the responsibilities of those implicated in them," the pope said in a June 10 message marking the 60th anniversary of the massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane. "It also calls on them to construct a society of peace and fraternity, in which people can extend their hands and seek reconciliation, ensuring there should be no more events like this, and that love should prevail over hatred and the desire for vengeance," he said. A total of 642 civilians were shot or burned alive on June 10, 1944, by German soldiers. Six villagers survived in the worst Nazi atrocity in France.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .