The Valley Catholic June 11, 2019 | Page 12

12 IN THE CHURCH June 11, 2019 | The Valley Catholic Walking Together, Christians Experience Unity in Diversity, Pope Says By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY -- People need to walk together in harmony to build a more fraternal world, Pope Francis said, reflecting upon his recent trip to Romania. The May 31-June 2 trip showed the important need “to walk together, both for Christians” when it comes to faith and charity, and for residents of a nation, when it comes to civic engagement, he said June 5 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. As is customary, Pope Francis re- viewed his trip to the predominantly Orthodox East European nation dur- ing his first general audience after the trip. Yet he also used the audience to re- mind people to take part in the “One Minute for Peace” initiative June 8. The day marks the fifth anniversary of the pope’s historic gathering at the Vatican with Israeli President Pope Francis poses with pilgrims from Honduras during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 5, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Pope Francis kisses a baby during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 5, 2019. (CNS photo/ Paul Haring) Shimon Peres, Palestinian President Ma h moud Abbas a nd Or t hodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and their “invocation for peace.” Every year since that meeting in 2014, the International Forum of Catholic Action has promoted “One Minute for Peace” every June 8 at 1 p.m. The pope said people of faith are invited to pray for and people with no religious belief are invited to reflect on “a more fraternal world.” In his main audience talk review- ing his trip to Romania, the pope noted his encounter with Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, where he reiterated “the desire of the Catholic Church to walk together in reconciled memory and toward full unity.” “This important ecumenical di- mension of the trip culminated in the solemn prayer of the Our Father,” showing that “unity does not elimi- nate legitimate diversity.” The Lord’s Prayer represents the “common heritage of all baptized. No one can say ‘my Father’ and ‘your Fa- ther.’ No, ‘our Father,’” he said. The pope recalled the many mo- ments of prayer and celebration with the minority Catholic communities, including the beatification of seven bishop-martyrs of the Eastern-rite Romanian Catholic Church, who died during a fierce anti-religious cam- paign waged under the communist regime in Romania. The martyred bishops gave witness to “the freedom and mercy that come from the Gospel,” the pope said at the general audience. The pope also highlighted his visit with the Roma community in Blaj, say- ing he wanted to greet them and renew his appeal “against all discrimination and for the respect of people of every ethnicity, language and religion.” Pope says he’s Strengthened, Encouraged by Talks with Benedict XVI ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ROMANIA (CNS) -- Pope Fran- cis said that he continues to visit retired Pope Benedict XVI, 92, who is like a grandfather who continues to encour- age him and give him strength. “I take his hand and let him speak. He speaks little, at his own pace, but with the same profoundness as always. Benedict’s problem are his knees, not his mind. He has a great lucidity,” the pope told journalists June 2 on his return flight from Romania. The pope spent about 35 minutes with reporters on the short flight, answering five questions. When asked about his relationship with this predecessor, the pope said his conversations with Pope Benedict make him stronger and he compared the knowledge he receives from his predecessor as the sap “from the roots that help me to go forward. “When I hear him speak, I become strong,” he explained. “I feel this tradition of the church. The tradition of the church is not a museum. No, tradition is like the roots that give you the sap in order to grow. You won’t become the root; you will grow and bear fruit and the seed will be root for others.” CAREGIVER-ELDERCARE IN-HOME CARE AGENCY We are offering COMPETITVE Rates & Flexible Schedules 408-677-3682 | 408-613-7189 caregivereldercare.com