Link for the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

To mark the 10th anniversary of the events of 11 September 2001, the Holy Father has issued the following statements:

Rejecting violence as a solution to problems 

VATICAN CITY, 11 SEP 2011 (VIS) – Following this morning’s Mass for the closure of the twenty-fifth Italian National Eucharistic Congress, the Holy Father prayed the Angelus in the shipyard of the city of Ancona. Before the Marian prayer the Pope reminded faithful present that “the Angelus invites us to imitate Mary Most Holy, to contemplate the well of love from which the Sacrament of the Eucharist comes”. The Eucharistic mystery “makes the risen Christ present, our source of hope and comfort in daily life, especially in moments of difficulty”.

On today’s tenth anniversary of the attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001, the Pope entrusted the victims and their families to the Lord. And he added: “I invite the leaders of nations, and all men and women of good will, always to reject violence as a solution to problems, to resist the temptation to hate, and to work in society inspired by the principles of solidarity, justice and peace”.

PV-ANCONA/                                                          VIS 20110912 (170)

No circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism 

VATICAN CITY, 10 SEP 2011 (VIS) – The Holy Father has sent a message to Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, marking the tenth anniversary of the attacks against the World Trade Centre in New York, and against Washington and Pennsylvania, which occurred on 11 September 2001 and killed thousands of people.

After commending the victims to divine mercy, Benedict XVI goes on to recall that the perpetrators were convinced they were acting in the name of God. “Once again”, he writes, “it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism. Every human life is precious in God’s sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals and peoples everywhere”.

 The Holy Father has words of praise for the courage and generosity shown by the American people during the rescue operations and “for their resilience in moving forward with hope and confidence. It is my fervent prayer”, he concludes, “that a firm commitment to justice and a global culture of solidarity will help rid the world of the grievances that so often give rise to acts of violence and will create the conditions for greater peace and prosperity, offering a brighter and more secure future”.

MESS/                                                          VIS 20110912 (240)

In response to the tragic events at the time, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops made the following interventions:

Message to Canadian Political Leaders and the People of God  

Letter to the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops  

Statement about relations with Muslims