After US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Bishop Martinelli invites the faithful to pray for peace and the well-being of the people.
By Fr. Mark Robin Destura, RCJ
As the Gulf region continues to endure the effects of the bombing carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, appealed to the Catholic communities living in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen to pray the Rosary for “peace and reconciliation.”
Speaking to Vatican News, he said he has entrusted the region to the intercession of “Our Lady of Arabia, watch over us all; that our patrons, Peter and Paul, protect us; and that the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi grant us peace.”
During the celebration of the Eucharist, he also asked the faithful to pray “for the peace and security of all the peoples of this region.”
The Pope’s message
After the joint U.S.-Israelii attacks that started on Saturday, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on various areas in the Gulf region, hitting airports, buildings, ports, and several civilian structures, particularly in cities such as Doha, Manama, and Kuwait City.
During the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo addressed the faithful and called for prayers for peace in the Middle East.
Bishop Martinelli said, “The words pronounced by Pope Leo yesterday were very important. We were deeply touched by his words because he addressed exactly the point we have to face.”
For the Bishop, the Pope’s emphasis on the “good of the people” contained “precise and clear words, with real weight.” He reiterated the Pope’s appeal “to start again with diplomacy and dialogue, so that we can remove all the obstacles before us in order to promote peace and reconciliation among peoples.”
The good of the people
Reflecting on the ordinary lives and well-being of the people, Bishop Martinelli focused his attention on “the people who every day have to face problems. They have to face the question of food, the question of school or work, to organize the life of the family.”
He added, “It is very important for us to keep in mind the daily life of the people, the well-being of people who yearn for a peaceful existence founded on justice.”
United in prayer
With a continued appeal to the Catholic communities, Bishop Martinelli urged them to remain united in prayer. He invited “the faithful every day to pray the Holy Rosary, and to always remain united in prayer, not feeling that we are alone or isolated.”
He assured them: “We are always together. We pray together. We work together.”
Bishop Paolo Martinelli (@VaticanNews)
