|
Imams, patriarchs, monks and rabbis from around the world are joining
Pope John Paul II to pray for peace.
Concerned by the continued impact of the September 11 terrorist
attacks, the pontiff invited representatives of world religions,
to Assisi, Italy.
The event represents one of the largest gatherings ever of Christian
groups, bringing together Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons,
Mennonites and Orthodox Christians, among others.
The event is a day-long retreat where leaders will speak out about
the need for world peace.
Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Roman
Catholic Franciscan order, and has twice before hosted papal prayer
days: a day long fast and prayer against nuclear war in 1986 and
a rally for Balkan peace in 1993.
The ceremony will be a "pilgrimage of hope" for participants
"following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, a prophet
and witness of peace," the pope said in his weekly general
audience.
Representatives of 12 religions. including Christians, Jews, Muslims,Buddhists,
Shintoists and followers of tribal religions, are participating
in activities, which included an opening "testimony for peace"
ceremony, prayer sessions, lunch and a final communal pledge that
religion should never be used to justify violence, hatred or conflict.
John Paul II arrived in Assisi on what the Italian media has dubbed
the "train of prayers," bringing the religious leaders
with him on a two-hour trip from the rarely used train station in
the Vatican. Italy's state railroad gave the Vatican a seven-car
train for the occasion.
Italian media said authorities are deploying some 1,000 police
and helicopters along the route and seal off this ancient town once
John Paul arrived. Premier Silvio Berlusconi met the pope's train
at the Assisi station.
The Vatican listed a 29-member Islamic delegation and 10 Jewish
representatives.
|
,mmmm,,Sign
The Petition 
