Umbria's religious and civic authorities
mobilize for the October event in Assisi
Translated from
ASSISI, April 2- The bishop of Assisi, Mons. Domenico Sorrentino and representatives of all the Franciscan orders said they "participate fully and aware of their responsibility and mission to welcome the 'pilgrims for peace and justice' to a city which, as the Pope said, has become a symbol of brotherhood and peace".
At a news conference Saturday after the Vatican announced details of the inter-religious assembly convoked by Benedict XVI for Oct. 27 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first World Day of prayer for peace, Mons. Sorrentino underscored the inclusion this time "of personalities from the worlds of science and culture who, even without being religious, are on the same quest for the truth, thus widening the space for dialog".
He said that St. Francis "without ever attenuating his witness to the faith, offered it to others humbly, and was able to promote relations with others based on reciprocal respect and acceptance, even in dialog with believers of other religions, as in his conversation with the Eygptian sultan:".
Representatives of local institutions, along with cultural adviser Fernanda Cacchini representing the regional government of Umbria; the president of Perugia province, Marco Vinicio Guasticchi; and Mayor Claudio Ricci of Assisi, said they would provide their cull cooperation in preparing for the event.
Fr. Enxo Fortunato, press director of the Sacro Convento (Franciscan headquarters in Assisi), presented the poster for the event, and said that information would be available at sanfrancesco.org until a website for the event is opened.
An unexpected bonus from that site - a video of the Pope's prayer at the tomb of St. Francis during his pastoral visit to Assisi in June 2008:
Assisi program does not
include inter-religious prayer
at Assisi, Vatican says
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY, April 4 (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and representatives of the world's major religions will make speeches and sign a common commitment to peace when they meet in Assisi in October, but they will not pray together, the Vatican said.
In fact, Pope Benedict's formal prayer service will be held at the Vatican the evening before the encounter Oct. 27 in Assisi with leaders of other Christian communities and representatives of the world's main religions.
The October gathering will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's "prayer for peace" encounter in Assisi. The 1986 event was seen by many as a milestone in inter-religious relations but was criticized by some Catholics who said it appeared to inappropriately mix elements from Christian and non-Christian religions.
The Vatican press office issued a statement April 2 giving the theme for the 2011 event -- "Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace" -- and a general outline of events.
"Every human being is ultimately a pilgrim in search of truth and goodness," the Vatican statement said.
The search requires people to enter into dialogue with others, "believers and unbelievers alike, without sacrificing one's own identity or indulging in forms of syncretism" where elements of different religions are used indiscriminately, the statement said.
"To the extent that the pilgrimage of truth is authentically lived, it opens the path to dialogue with the other, it excludes no one and it commits everyone to be a builder of fraternity and peace. These are the elements that the Holy Father wishes to place at the center of reflection," the Vatican said.
The statement said Pope Benedict will prepare for the Assisi gathering by hosting a prayer service with Catholics from the Diocese of Rome in St. Peter's Basilica Oct. 26.
Other Catholic dioceses and other Christian communities are encouraged to organize similar prayer services, the statement said.
The Vatican said the Pope was inviting to Assisi representatives of other religions, other Christian communities and representatives of the worlds of culture and science who do not profess a religious belief, but who "regard themselves as seekers of the truth and are conscious of a shared responsibility for the cause of justice and peace."
The Pontifical Councils for Inter-Religious Dialogue, for Promoting Christian Unity, and for Culture are sending out the invitations.
Pope Benedict and other participants will take a train to Assisi from Rome on Oct. 27, the statement said.
After speeches in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, there will be a simple lunch, followed by "a period of silence for individual reflection and prayer."
In the afternoon, participants will go in pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Francis, the saint's resting place, where they will make "a solemn renewal of the joint commitment to peace," the Vatican said.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 04/04/2011 22:23]