Pope Announces Day of Fasting for Peace for Syria

[David__77]

Source: Associated Press

Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the use of chemical weapons, but he called for a negotiated settlement to the civil war in Syria, and announced he would lead a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace there on Sept. 7.

...

"My heart is deeply wounded by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments" on the horizon, Francis said, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and France considering a military strike to punish the Syrian regime for a chemical weapons attack.

...

Usually soft-spoken, Francis raised his voice as he declared, "War brings on war! Violence brings on violence."

His admonishment against resorting to arms as a solution recalled the repeated emotional implorations a decade ago by the late Pope John Paul II in a vain attempt to persuade the U.S. administration then led by President George W. Bush not to invade Iraq.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-announces-day-fasting-prayer-syria-20129395

---

I hope that our lawmakers will heed the wise words of Pope Francis. The Pope speaks for the sake of not just Syrian Christendom, but for all Syrians and people around the world.

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. rec!

War brings on War! Violence brings on violence.

Hard to argue that.

[AlbertCat]

2. Fasting and prayer....

yeah... that's gonna help a lot! Thanks for nothing.

[AngryOldDem]

4. What is it that you want to see happen?

Isn't this part of the nonviolent resolution to this crisis that a lot of people -- especially on DU -- want to see happen?

[kardonb]

8. happen

the ONLY thing happening is to make the folks who pray feel they have "done something" . How many prayers for peace have been said over the millennia ? The result ? NOTHING !

[AngryOldDem]

12. He's taking a stand.

Isn't that what people want from world leaders?

Everyone works from within their own sphere of influence.

If the Pope said nothing, then people would be jumping his shit for THAT. Especially here. This call from the Pope brings together another group of people who are in solidarity over this issue. That's ALL he's doing.

But that's not good enough. Just another day on DU.

[hrmjustin]

28. Taking a stand for peace is important. And speaking and praying is all he can do.

[musical_soul]

41. You don't know that.

For all we know, wars and battles have been prevented through prayer.

In any case, it's the Pope's duty as a religious leader to take a stand on stuff like this.

[rug]

10. Do you want hin to say nothing?

I daresay this gesture has accomplished more than your posts.

[AlbertCat]

35. I daresay this gesture has accomplished more than your posts.

Well, I'm not an international figure with tons of money at my disposal and throngs of followers.

You'd think someone with so much outreach and power would come up with something more than a mere "GESTURE".

[rug]

39. What did Stalin say, "How many divisions does the Pope have?"

I used the word gesture deliberately because that what calling for a day of fast is. Don't be so fast to assume nothing more is being done, regardless of your predisposition to think so.

[Snake Plissken]

22. At least hes telling the people who follow his particular brand of mythology to stop this insanity

Would you rather have him bless the bombs before they are launched?

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2005/08/george-zabelka/blessing-the-bombs/

[hrmjustin]

27. Thanks for nothing? He is lending his voice to peace. I know you dislike religion but remember he

has a voice and he is lending it to peace.

[totodeinhere]

40. A non violent answer to this crime against humanity is the only answer.

While I disagree with a lot of Catholic dogma, in this case the Pope is correct. And his comments are in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

[gopiscrap]

3. what day it would have greater impact

if it was on the same day and combined with prayer vigils

[Brainstormy]

5. and that's because

God only answers prayers once they've reached critical mass?

[gopiscrap]

7. No but it makes for a better news story

and part of all this is to form public opinion. Like it or not war is a VERY political event

[MotherPetrie]

6. So... his god blows off the excrutiating deaths of his Syrian subjects by chemical weapons....

but just might be impressed enough by the whole one-day fasting and prayer of his non-Syrian subjects called for by Francis to perhaps revisit the topic at a later date?

Cannot understand how anyone would even want to believe in a god this useless.

[bunnies]

9. Funny, isnt it?

Bless his heart.

[rug]

11. The only route to that conclusion is through a closed mind.

Do you really think this gesture and these deaths are the starting points for another tired old derivative rant that god dos not exist?

[AngryOldDem]

13. Apparently so.

This place is really beginning to suck.

[rug]

15. The site is fine.

It's some of the one-note posters that make me wonder why they post.

[Posteritatis]

16. Any thread that mentions Francis gets reflexively ugly pretty quickly

It pretty much doesn't matter what the story's actually about; you'll usually see a flood of responses that could easily be copy-pasted between any of the threads about him.

[AngryOldDem]

21. Actually, I've been kind of surprised at the general accepting tone toward the Pope...

...more often than not, posts about him are met with what I see is genuine appreciation for what he's doing. Quite the contrast with Benedict.

I think here the issue is more with the Pope calling for prayer and fasting, which involves a Higher Power. That is what people are taking exception to. But as I said above, everyone works from their own sphere of influence. It may or may not make a difference in the end -- but at least another world leader is adding his voice to the debate.

Again -- another voice for peace. Isn't that what people want???

[CountAllVotes]

24. FYI: The Catholic Church is anti-war

A lot of people are unaware of this fact but yes, it is a fact.

I attended mass a couple of weeks ago and the priest wore a rainbow stole. He wore this stole to show solidarity with the gay people in Russia that are being persecuted as I type.

He did not say anything about it as all you had to do was look and see the stole that he wore.

I think this says a lot about the Catholic Church these days and pope Francis is a breath of fresh air after having to put up with Benedict for too long.

I cannot say that attendance has increased but where I live there are few Catholics to be found so it is not a place that likely represents the USA as a whole.

I happen to like pope Francis myself and I like what he is doing.

[Ishoutandscream2]

20. You ain't kidding

This place has really sunk to the bottom. Still like to read news here, but the sheer rudeness of the posters has gotten out of hand. It makes me wonder if they talk to people like that when they are face to face with someone.

[CountAllVotes]

26. Agree

It is indeed sad.

As a Catholic of sorts I've been called every name in the book around here ranging from being an advocate of child molestation and protecting pedophiles to being homophobic, neither of which is true.

It has really hurt my feelings more than once and there have been more than a few times that comments like this have made me feel like just leaving this forum for good.

>>I would very much appreciate it if the poster would kindly fuck off. I have no time for people like this anymore.

I have to remind myself that not everyone feels this way about me (I hope). In any event, it is sad at best.

Nice huh?

[MotherPetrie]

17. Knock yourself out misconstruing what I said - it's obviously all you got.

[rug]

18. What you said is plainly evident, and it's not much.

[freedom fighter jh]

14. It's not that God "blows off" the attacks;

it's that the good intentions coming from the folks fasting and praying create the right feeling among humanity so that we (people) find it within ourselves to remedy the violence that has taken place with something other than more violence.

[MotherPetrie]

19. Seriously? It takes fasting and praying to one of the many human-created entities

that embody whatever characteristic the individual chooses to invest in them to do that?

We really are well and truly screwed.

[hrmjustin]

29. He is lending his voice to peace. That is really all he can do.

[roody]

23. This atheist supports it and will participate.

[happyslug]

38. In many ways, people should think about going to church that day

The reason is to show OPPOSITION to going to war. An old joke from the 1970s in Poland went this way" The mass was packed, the priest said everyone kneel, all kneel except one man, who stands up. The man next to him asked "Why aren't you kneeling" the man standing said "Because I am an Atheist". The man next to him asked "Why are you in Church?", the response was "I am against the Government".

Politicians do try to see what people are thinking, and how much they are for or against something. It is easy to say "I am against X" but it requires more effort to do something in opposition to "X". This can be seen in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the majority of Americans opposed both wars, but only a very small number of Americans wanted to go into the streets to protest them (Greater opposition occurred in Europe, and some protests in the US, but not enough to convince Congress to vote against the wars).

The same with this day of Pray and Fasting, it will show, to a limited degree, the extent AND depth of the opposition to this war. Going to mass on Saturday will show even more opposition (The increase attendance will show the DEPTH of the opposition, something a poll has a hard time doing). You do NOT have to give when the Collection plate is passed around (Through listen to what the plate is for, you may want to give, the Catholic Church is noted for doing two collections, the first for the local parish, the second for some other cause, anything from Little Sisters of the poor, to funding opposition groups to War, through the second collection may be something you disagree with, for example money for anti-abortion movement, the speaker will announce what the second collection is for).

As to the second collection, ask the parish priest if a second collection can be made for some charity the Church will support (do not expect him to agree to a collection for abortion or gay marriage for example, but support for gay people in trouble would meet church standards). Remember the worse the Parish Priest can say is NO.

Side note: The Catholic Church uses the Jewish Calendar when determining the start of each day (i.e. the day starts at sunset of the previous day), but then each Bishop has the right to modify that Calendar due to local conditions and traditions (i.e. set sunset at a fixed time throughout the year, i.e. 6:00 pm instead of each church having to wait till the actual sunset each Saturday). Thus since the 1960s, most Catholic Churches in the US have held "Anticipation" masses on Saturday night since that is "Sunday" under Catholic Church law. Some Bishops have permitted such masses as early as 4:00 pm for the local Bishop has ruled that is "Sunset" for purposes of holding mass on Sunday.

I mention this, for I advocate going to Mass on Saturday, I would AVOID the Anticipation mass on Saturday night. If you wish to show opposition to this war by going to a Catholic Mass, go in the Morning. You want to make it clear you are going on the SATURDAY, the Pope had set aside for this day of pray and fasting, not Sunday (or Saturday night) like a regular Catholic.

Side note: Please do NOT do what the Atheist did in the joke I mentioned above, it is more important that you go to church to show support for this opposition to this war, then it is to show that you are NOT Catholic. Hopefully this warning was NOT needed, but I have seen people do stupid things for stupid reasons, as has others, thus why the Joke I mentioned above had such a bite to it in the 1970s.

[tokenlib]

25. prayer and fasting raise awareness and lead to more actions...

..this is not useless. It may serve to strengthen a growing movement against war.

[CountAllVotes]

30. You are right

Last edited Mon Sep 2, 2013, 07:43 AM - Edit history (1)

There are after all something like 1.2 billion Catholics in the world.

If all of them opt to pray and fast on Sept. 7, 2013, it sends a powerful message alright -- a message of PEACE and prayers to stop another bloody war.

I'll be a participant, that much I can guarantee! YES I CAN!!

to you pope Francis!

[AlbertCat]

34. prayer and fasting raise awareness and lead to more actions...

Perhaps he should have said "Behold! Watch the news and read up on what's going on."

That might have lead to more awareness..... without a sanctimonious ancient magical ritual.

[tokenlib]

31. And now that there WILL be a convergence on DC the same day..

Last edited Sun Sep 1, 2013, 09:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Will the Pope's call bring more people to participate in DC and other cities? This delay may be a big gift to those opposing military action.

To clarify ...ANSWER and other groups are calling for a march on the Capitol for 12 Noon on the 7th.

[Kingofalldems]

32. I intend to do my part by fasting and praying on Saturday.

[School Teacher]

33. Thanks to Pope Francis I Will Fast and I Will Act

I am grateful for the Pope's leadership. I will fast, pray and demonstrate on the 7th. I encourage all on this board to call their congresspersons and senators. When I called today at noon, their mailboxes were not full! Let's fill up those mailboxes and flood them with emails. letters and in person demonstrations.

As a liberal religious protestant, I appreciate some spiritual leadership from the Pope.

[brooklynite]

36. Serious question: how will this change anything?

Will it make the participants feel virtuous? Maybe?

Will it change the mind of anyone who thinks peace is the only answer? No.

Will it change the mind of anyone who thinks military action may be necessary? No.

Will in inspire Assad to stop oppressing his opponents? No.

Will it inspire his opponents to stop protesting? No.

Will it inspire a national leader who currently is not concerned about this issue to become concerned? No.

So, once again, the point is.....?

[LanternWaste]

37. I imagine it has the about the same affect as...

I imagine it has the about the same affect as writing a letter to a congressman, calling in on a talk radio program, discussing the issue on a discussion board, yelling about politics with friend, family and co-workers... all of which, for all practical intents and purposes will not change anyone's mind, will not inspire Assad to stop oppressing his opponents, will not stop his opponents from protesting, and will not inspire any national leaders to become more or less concerned than they already are.

Therefore, it seems your last query is one we too should direct towards ourselves, and then ask ourselves what is the point of what we do.