Vatican City, Jun 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Holy Father spoke about the needs of the Holy Land this morning as he received 70 participants in the annual meeting of ROACO, the Meeting of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches, which is part of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
The Holy Father recalled "the Christian communities of the Oriental Churches, subject at this moment to serious trials due to current conflicts, terrorism and other difficulties," noting they "can count on your assistance."
In addition, he thanked them for taking the time during the sessions to look at the situation of the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania. "Thank you for your concern. It is a precious service of solidarity to the neediest."
John Paul II, referring to the collection for the Holy Land which is taken up every Good Friday all over the world, and to the recommendation of his predecessors “to care for the mother Church in Jerusalem,” said “it is necessary to persevere, praying intensely for peace for the people who live in the land of Jesus.”