Vatican
City, 26 June 2012 (VIS) - At 9 a.m. today the Holy Father departed by
helicopter from the Vatican to fly to the Italian region of Emilia Romagna
which, beginning on 20 May, has been affected by a series of earthquakes that
have left many dead and hundreds of injured. The tremors have forced thousands
of people to abandon their homes, destroyed historic buildings and seriously
damaged the infrastructure and economy of the entire area.
The
Pope's helicopter landed at 10.30 a.m. at the sports ground of San Marino di
Carpi where he was welcomed by Bishop Francesco Cavina of Carpi and by Franco
Gabrielli, head of the Italian Civil Protection Department. The Pontiff then
boarded a minibus to travel to Rovereto di Novi where he made a brief visit to
the church of St. Catherine of Alexandria which partially collapsed during the
earthquake killing the pastor Fr. Ivan Martini. Subsequently the Holy Father
boarded a Jeep from which he greeted the faithful while being driven to the
central square of Rovereto di Novi where, in the presence of the archbishops
and bishops of the affected areas (Bologna, Carpi, Modena, Mantua, Ferrara and
Reggio Emilia) he delivered his address.
Ample
extracts from the Holy Father's words are given below:
"Ever
since the beginning of the earthquake which affected you I have been close to
you with my prayers and concern. But when I saw that the trial had become more
arduous, I felt the impelling need to come among you in person, and I thank the
Lord for having enabled me to do so. Thus I greet all of you who are gathered
here, as with my mind and heart I embrace all the villages and all the people
affected by the earthquake, especially the families and communities mourning
their dead. May the Lord welcome them into His peace".
"I
was aware that, apart from suffering the material consequences, your spirits
were also being sorely tried by the continuation of the seismic activity,
including even strong tremors, and by the loss of certain symbolic buildings in
your towns and villages, in particular many churches. Here in Rovereto di Novi
in the collapse of a church - which I have just visited - Fr. Ivan Martini lost
his life. Paying homage to his memory, I address a special greeting to you,
dear priests, and to all confreres who, as has happened at other difficult
moments in the history of these lands, are showing their generous love for the
people of God.
"As
you all know, we priests (as well as religious and no small number of lay
people) daily pray the 'Breviary' which contains the Liturgy of the Hours, the
prayer of the Church which marks the hours of the day. We pray the Psalms in an
order which is the same for the entire Catholic Church. Why am I telling you
this? Because in recent days I came across this expression in Psalm 46: 'God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'".
"These
words seem to contrast with the fear we inevitably feel following an experience
such as the one you have just been through; that is an immediate reaction,
which can become more profound if the phenomenon is prolonged. However, the
Psalm does not in fact refer to that kind of fear; and the confidence it
expresses in not that of supermen untouched by normal feelings. The confidence
expressed is that of the faith. Yes we may feel fear and anguish - even Jesus
did - but above all is the certainty that God is with us. ... His Love is as
solid as a rock. We see this Love in the crucified Christ; at one and the same
time a sign of suffering and of love. This is the revelation of God Love, Who
remained united to us even unto extreme abasement.
"On
this rock, with this firm hope, we can build, we can rebuild. Italy was rebuilt
on the postwar ruins, and not just material ruins, thanks also to help
received, but above all thanks to the faith of so many people animated by a
spirit of genuine solidarity, by the will to give a future to their families, a
future of freedom and peace. You are a people whom all Italians respect for
your humanity and sociability, for hard work and cordiality. These qualities
have been dealt a harsh blow by the current situation, but this must not and
cannot affect your identity as a people, your history and your culture. Remain
faithful to your vocation as a fraternal and united people, and face everything
with patience and determination, rejecting the temptations which are
unfortunately always associated with such moments of weakness and need.
"The
situation you are going through has highlighted an aspect which I hope will
remain at the forefront of your minds: You are not and you will not be alone!
Over these days, amidst so much destruction and pain, you have seen and felt
how numerous people have expressed closeness, solidarity and affection through
so many signs and concrete forms of assistance. My presence among you is
intended to be another such sign of love and hope. Looking at you lands I have
been profoundly moved by the sight of so many wounds, but I have also seen many
hands extended to cure those wounds with you. I have seen that life restarts with
force and courage, and that is the most beautiful and lustrous sign of all.
"From
here I wish to launch an appeal to the institutions, and to all citizens,
despite the difficulties of the current time, to be like the Good Samaritan of
the Bible who did not walk by indifferent to the one in need, but lovingly
tended him, helped him, remained at his side and took full responsibility for
the other's needs. The Church is close and will remain close with her prayers
and with the concrete help of her organisations, especially Caritas, which will
also undertake to rebuild the social fibre of parish communities".
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