“Bringing Peace Closer to Ending War.” This topic will be addressed by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, today in Lodi as a guest of the traditional “Colloquium of San Bassiano”.
The Cardinal will give the testimony of those who know well and experience first-hand the drama of the conflict between Israel and Palestine from 9 p.m. in the Cathedral (live on our website). “The initiative – recalls Riccardo Rota, head of the Diocesan Office for Social Pastoral Care – is part of the “Colloquio di San Bassiano”, a moment of meeting and discussion with administrators and authorities that the Bishop of Lodi, Monsignor Maurizio, Malvestiti takes place about one yearly Month after the patron saint's day. This year – continues Rota – the invitation is also addressed voluntarily to the entire community, with the conviction that peace is an element that must be built not only on the tables of those who govern and administer us, but above all in the relationships that each of us shares with each other experiences”. Given the extraordinary character of the figure, the event was moved from the usual venue of the Bishop's House to the Cathedral precisely to expand the possibilities of participation. “It is an honor for us, His Beatitude, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,” wrote Monsignor Maurizio Malvestiti, Bishop of Lodi, in his letter of invitation to the authorities and administrators of the Lodi region. We will listen to the voice of an exceptional witness to the dramatic war situation in the Holy Land , a first-class protagonist in the commitment to peace and brotherhood, to which Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, invited us during the visit to Lodi on January 19th.” In recent months, when the war broke out between Israel and Hamas, Cardinal intervened Pizzaballa and condemned the dramatic situation in the Holy Land following the Hamas attack on Israeli territory and the subsequent expansion of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. “Let us pray – was the exhortation to the 78th General Assembly of the Italian Bishops – for all the innocent victims.” The suffering of the innocent before God has a precious and redemptive value because it is linked to the redemptive suffering of Christ. May their suffering bring peace ever closer and not contribute to creating more hatred! The invitation to participate in this evening's event is aimed primarily at young people, who will have the opportunity to listen to Cardinal Pizzaballa, who will address the question of what it means to be a Christian in the Holy Land and the riches and difficulties of living together People involve religions.