
Vatican City, Sep 11, 2019 / 03:28 am (CNA).- As three airliners smashed into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, and Flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field on September 11, 2001, Joaquín Navarro-Valls, at the time the director of the Vatican press office, delivered the news to Pope John Paul II.
“I remember that terrible afternoon as if it were yesterday. I called the Pope, who was at Castel Gandolfo, I gave him the news. He was shocked not only by the tragedy itself, but also because he could not explain how man could achieve this abyss of evil…” he recalled in a 2011 interview with Vatican Insider.
John Paul II, who had grown up to watch his native Poland overtaken first by Nazis and then by the Soviets, and who as Pope navigated the dangerous international waters of the Cold War, was no stranger to tragedy and war.
Still, the terror attacks on the United States shook him deeply.
“He was deeply shaken, saddened. But I remember that he asked himself how so heinous an attack could happen. His dismay, in front of those images went beyond pain,” Navarro-Valls recalled.
“He stayed for short time in front of the TV. Then he retired to the chapel, which is only a few steps away from the TV room. And he remained there a long time in prayer. He also wanted to get in touch with George Bush, to communicate his support, his pain, his prayer. But it was not possible to contact the president, who for security reasons was flying on Air Force One.”
Instead, Pope John Paul II decided to send his message of condolences and assurance of prayers via telegram, and was among the first of the world leaders to do so that day.
“I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment,” the Pope wrote.
In a 2011 article in the National Catholic Register, James Nicholson, who was the new United States ambassador to the Holy See in 2001, recalled his first meeting with John Paul II, just two days after the terror attacks.
“The first thing the Pope said to me was how sorry he felt for my country, which had just been attacked, and how sad it made him feel. We next said a prayer together for the victims and their families.”
“Then the Pope said something very profound and very revealing of his acute grasp of international terrorism. He said, ‘Ambassador Nicholson, this was an attack, not just on the United States, but on all of humanity.’ And, then he added, ‘We must stop these people who kill in the name of God.’”
September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday.
The next day, Wednesday, is when the Pope is scheduled each week to address the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
While John Paul II normally used this as a time for catechesis on the family or other issues, he set everything aside on September 12 to address the tragedy from which the world was still reeling.
Below is the full text of his words to the United States:
I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all American citizens I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such unspeakable horror we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity’s problems.
Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ’s word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.
With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and consternation, when the courage of so many men and women of good will is being sorely tested. In a special way I reach out to the families of the dead and the injured, and assure them of my spiritual closeness. I entrust to the mercy of the Most High the helpless victims of this tragedy, for whom I offered Mass this morning, invoking upon them eternal rest. May God give courage to the survivors; may he sustain the rescue-workers and the many volunteers who are presently making an enormous effort to cope with such an immense emergency. I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to join me in prayer for them. Let us beg the Lord that the spiral of hatred and violence will not prevail. May the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Mercy, fill the hearts of all with wise thoughts and peaceful intentions.
Today, my heartfelt sympathy is with the American people, subjected yesterday to inhuman terrorist attacks which have taken the lives of thousands of innocent human beings and caused unspeakable sorrow in the hearts of all men and women of good will. Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our history, an appalling offence against peace, a terrible assault against human dignity.
I invite you all to join me in commending the victims of this shocking tragedy to Almighty God’ s eternal love. Let us implore his comfort upon the injured, the families involved, all who are doing their utmost to rescue survivors and help those affected.
I ask God to grant the American people the strength and courage they need at this time of sorrow and trial.
Below is the full text of Pope John Paul II’s prayers for the faithful and intentions on September 12, 2001:
Brothers and Sisters, in great dismay, before the horror of destructive violence, but strong in the faith that has always guided our fathers, we turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, salvation of his people, and with the confidence of children, pray that He will come to our aid in these days of mourning and innocent suffering.
Cantor:
Dominum deprecemur: Te rogamus, audi nos.
1. For the Churches of the East and the West, and in particular for the Church in the United States of America so that, though humbled by loss and mourning, yet inspired by the Mother of the Lord, strong woman beside the cross of her Son, they may foster the will for reconciliation, peace, and the building of the civilization of love.
2. For all those who bear the name of Christian, so that, in the midst of many persons who are tempted to hatred and doubt, they will be witnesses to the presence of God in history and the victory of Christ over death.
3. For the leaders of nations, so that they will not allow themselves to be guided by hatred and the spirit of retaliation, but may do everything possible to prevent new hatred and death, by bringing forth works of peace.
4. For those who are weeping in sorrow over the loss of relatives and friends, that in this hour of suffering they will not be overcome by sadness, despair and vengeance, but continue to have faith in the victory of good over evil, of life over death.
5. For those suffering and wounded by the terrorist acts, that they may return to stability and health and, appreciating the gift of life, may generously foster the will to contribute to the well being of every human being.
6. For our brothers and sisters who met death in the folly of violence, that they find sure joy and life everlasting in the peace of the Lord, that their death may not be in vain but become a leaven bringing forth a season of brotherhood and collaboration among peoples.
The Holy Father:
O Lord Jesus, remember our deceased and suffering brothers before your Father.
Remember us also, as we begin to pray with your words: Pater noster…
O Almighty and merciful God,
you cannot be understood by one who sows discord, you cannot be accepted by one who loves violence: look upon our painful human condition tried by cruel acts of terror and death, comfort your children and open our hearts to hope, so that our time may again know days of serenity and peace.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[…]
Lifting up hearts and minds in prayer and thanksgiving is an act in world-building.
“Within a paragraph about human freedom, the document states that religious plurality is willed by God. ‘The pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings,’ the document states.”
Yes, not only is that “Catholic Teaching” but also Islamic/Koranic teaching…probably not.
That someone is a “revert” when they become a Muslim vs a “convert” is a first clue.
Thank you for that observation , on being considered a ‘revert’.. that might be the truth and wisdom they have kept from the Christian Patrimony that we need to take in,
with enough enthusiasm as well, esp. considering the practical oneness , in the falleness , that we share with the nonbelievers at many levels too , including the idolatry of greed , rebellion, pride etc etc too ..
The power of the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart , to help us deepen in trust and gratitude to proclaim with her and others – ‘ The Holy Spirit has come down upon me , the power of the Almighty is overshadowing me ‘ , to conform us all to the goodness of The Father , in His Son, in the power of His Spirit ..
‘ Show us The Father , that shall be sufficient for us ‘ and the profound , touching words of response from The Lord – ‘ if you have seen Me, you have seen The Father ..’ ., yet , so much hanging on that ‘if ‘
Mankind , ever since The Garden, struggling to see The Father ..often being duped to follow the father below instead ..
Holy Father, our Pope , after his name sake St.Francis , who could see goodness of The Father, in so much around him ..
St.Francis , to this day bears witness to that goodness , in those rose bushes that shed the thorns , as a reward for his holy purity .. they can even seem at first glance , as being even ‘unnatural’ …
Sexuality , with its carnal ways , having been a thorn of rebellion , in the hands of the enemy , enough to make persons think that human life itself is a mere byproduct of same , not planned, loved and foreseen by The Father from all eternity .
And The Father , in hiddenness , all the while preparing a holy Mother , conceived more by the power of spoken holy words , in love, by her parents than by carnality,
a power of His own that The Father had desired to share with Adam too ..
He waited , till the New Adam, who bestows that power of spoken words, in Him , upon His holy priests too..
Interesting how we have 2/11 – in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes , the Immaculate conception , also the day when Pope Emer. Benedict resigned – seeing the deeper need for healing in this realm may be ..
7/11 – Feast of St.Benedict , when many are yearning for the kind of purity and discipline in our culture .
Thankfully , The Church heeding the call, to a life of adoring the Hidden Lord, in The Eucharist , as a means of being spared the destructive , divisive sounds and words of the world .
Our Holy Father too an advocate of same .
9/11 – good to hear of the above initiative in the article , to see it as a day of gratitude to The Father , even if like children, those of other faiths may not grasp the Truth that well – we do not see little children as being unworthy of the Kingdom , because of ignorance , instead trusts how He desires for them to be there with Him, to behold the face of The Father .
9/11 here might serve any more also as a symbol of the need for deeper repentance for our own depravity , in rejecting life and children , families and marriages ..
That repentance , thus to help prepare better for The Feast of The Cross ..The Blood and water , to wash off , burn off all thorns of rebellion and disbelief in the goodness of The Father .
Such a deep trust , in The Father , in the heart of the Holy Father , who has witnessed the Eucharistic Miracle , thus the power of spoken words , in Him, to bless all His children , for mercy on us and the whole world ..
Glory be !
“Within a paragraph about human freedom, the document states that religious plurality is willed by God. “The pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings,” the document states.”
What?
WHAT?
*****WHAT*****?????????
What utter balderdash. Tripe. Bilge. Baloney. Malarkey.
Okay, I just did some searching, and Bishop Athanasius Schneider apparently asked Pope Francis about that.
“On the topic of my concern about the phrase used in the Abu Dhabi document – that God “wills” the diversity of religions – the Pope’s answer was very clear: he said that the diversity of religions is only the permissive will of God. He stressed this and told us: you can say this, too, that the diversity of religions is the permissive will of God.
“I tried to go more deeply into the question, at least by quoting the sentence as it reads in the document. The sentence says that as God wills the diversity of sexes, color, race and language, so God wills the diversity of religions. There is an evident comparison between the diversity of religions and the diversity of sexes.
“I mentioned this point to the Holy Father, and he acknowledged that, with this direct comparison, the sentence can be understood erroneously. I stressed in my response to him that the diversity of sexes is not the permissive will of God but is positively willed by God. And the Holy Father acknowledged this and agreed with me that the diversity of the sexes is not a matter of God’s permissive will.
“But when we mention both of these phrases in the same sentence, then the diversity of religions is interpreted as positively willed by God, like the diversity of sexes. The sentence therefore leads to doubt and erroneous interpretations, and so it was my desire, and my request that the Holy Father rectify this. But he said to us bishops: you can say that the phrase in question on the diversity of religions means the permissive will of God.”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/bishop-schneider-extracts-clarification-on-diversity-of-religions-from-pope-francis-brands-abuse-summit-a-failure
Surely when one speaks confusingly one is obligated to correct it everywhere the original statement is made, not just to give permission to a few people to explain it.