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TESTIMONIES
TO CHARITY AND VOLUNTEERS IN ST. PETERS SQUARE MESSAGE
OF THE HOLY FATHER REGINA
CAELI 25
APRIL 1999 "In
view of the great suffering in today's world, particularly that caused by war,
the need to spread and bear practical witness to the Gospel of Charity becomes
ever more urgent. This is the
context for the meeting organised by the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' which I
will have the joy to preside at on Sunday 16 May". With
these words the Holy Father invited all the witnesses to Charity and the world
of volunteers to participate at the mass in St. Peter's Square held on 16 May
1999 noting that "... It will be an important occasion to express the
Church's encouragement to those who devote themselves to their brothers and
sisters in need and who are working to build a future of genuine peace in a
society of greater brotherhood and solidarity". During
the Celebration, Sister Nirmala, along with whom another 3,500 Sisters spread
throughout every part of the world carrying on the memory of Mother Teresa of
Calcutta, will give a greeting. Sister
Nirmala will give voice to the tens of thousands of men and women religious who
each day give their lives for others. Also
speaking will be six witnesses from "hot spots" of the world, coming
from those groups which in the past or in the present are on opposing sides or
are from enemy tribes: a Hutu and a Tutsi from Rwanda; from Northern Ireland
where peace is continually challenged by small extremist groups, a Catholic lay
person and a Protestant Pastor; a Jew and a Christian Arab from the Holy Land,
from 2000 years of bloodshed from hatred and misunderstandings. Vatican
City, 26 April 1999
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