Pope mourns ‘brutal killing’ of priest, urges end to violence

Last updated on: April 9, 2014 at 6:17 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope mourns ‘brutal killing’ of priest, urges end to violence 2014-04-09T18:17:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Apr 9, 2014 / 12:17 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In comments made following his general audience address, Pope Francis lamented the killing of a Jesuit priest in Syria, and appealed to the country’s leaders to foster peace and respect human dignity.

“Please, silence your weapons, and end the violence! No more war! No more destruction!” the Pope exclaimed in comments made April 9.

Fr. Frans van der Lugt S.J., aged 75 and a native of the Netherlands, was killed April 7 after he was beaten and shot dead by gunmen in the city of Homs, where he was caring for the fewer than 30 Christians who remain in the Old City district, which has been blockaded by the Syrian regime for nearly two years.

The priest had worked in Syria since 1967. He was a psychotherapist and was involved in interreligious dialogue. In the 1980s, he built a spirituality center in Homs which housed some 40 children with mental disabilities.

Speaking to pilgrims in Italian, the pontiff described Fr. van der Lugt as a man who “always did good to all, with gratuity and love,” and who was “loved and admired by both Christians and Muslims.”

“His brutal murder has filled me with profound pain and made me think again of the many people who suffer and die in that martyred country – my beloved Syria! – which has already for too long been gripped by bloody conflict, which continues to reap death and destruction.”

Pope Francis also expressed that the priest’s violent death makes him think “of the many people who have been abducted, Christians and Muslims, Syrians and those from other countries, among whom there are bishops and priests.”

“We ask the Lord that they will quickly return to their loved ones and to their families and communities,” he prayed.

The pontiff once again entreated the Syrian leaders to work and pray for peace.

He also asked that there might be a greater “respect for humanitarian law, care for the people who need humanitarian assistance and may the people reach the desired peace through dialogue and reconciliation.”

Fr. van der Lugt had often lamented the lack of medicine, food, and aid to civilians trapped in Homs by the Syrian regime's siege, and repeatedly called for intervention on the civilians’ behalf.

In a statement issued by the Vatican, spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi reflected that the slain priest “died as a man of peace” and acted “with great courage in an extremely dangerous and difficult situation.”

Given the siege, his body cannot be recovered.

Vatican

Previous Post

April 9, 2014

Lawyers warn of global push for 'gender identity' language

Next Post

April 9, 2014 Sri Lankans welcome new apostolic nuncio

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as _______, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.

Select your answer to see how you score.

An Offering Living Sacrifices Sacrificial Lambs Clay Vessels