Pope encourages Asian church to continue fostering dialogue for peace

Published: 2004-11-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church in Asia, including the Middle East, is a small percentage of the population, but is committed strongly to fostering the dialogue needed to bring peace throughout the region, Pope John Paul II said. "The church intends to contribute to the cause of peace in Asia, where various conflicts and terrorism provoke the loss of many human lives," the pope said in a Nov. 19 message. The pope delivered the message when he met bishops gathered in Rome to evaluate responses to the 1998 special Synod of Bishops for Asia and to the pope's 1999 post-synod document. During the synod, the pope said, the bishops "looked with apprehension on the Holy Land, 'the heart of Christianity,' and a land dear to the children of Abraham." He said, "Unfortunately, in the past few years, the hot spots of war have grown and it is urgent to make peace, a difficult undertaking that requires the support of all people of good will."

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