In face of war, Middle East Christians need help of church, pope says

Published: 2004-06-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In the face of war, terrorism and economic stress, the churches of the Middle East urgently need the help of Catholics around the world, Pope John Paul II said. As well as special collections for Christian communities of the region, the pope urged prayers by all the faithful. "We need to pray intensely for peace for the peoples who live in the land of Jesus," he said June 24, in a talk to a coordinating agency of church funding agencies for Eastern churches. The agency, known by the Italian acronym ROACO, was reviewing funding requests for church-run programs in Iraq, the Holy Land and other areas. In a brief audience with participants of the meeting, the pope said his mind was on the many Christian communities facing tough times in the region, particularly in Iraq.

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