John Paul Offers Condolence for Terrorism Victims

VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE, May 17 — In a telegram sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano in the Holy Father's name to Archbishop Domenico De Luca, apostolic nuncio in Morocco, the Pope prayed for the victims of a terrorist attack May 16 in Casablanca.

“Having learned with emotion of the attacks last night in Casablanca, the Holy Father prays for the numerous victims and for their families in this trial,” the telegram said. “Denouncing once again the blind violence that strikes innocents, he asks the Almighty to enlighten consciences and to aid men in their efforts for peace. On this sorrowful occasion the Pope assures the people and the leaders of Morocco of his deepest sympathy.”

Pope Denounces Land Confiscations in Zimbabwe

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, May 16 — Addressing new diplomats at the Holy See on May 15, Pope John Paul II sharply questioned Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe's program of seizing land from white farmers and distributing them to his political cronies, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Holy Father called the “land reform” program an “error” that could only lead to greater disharmony in the troubled land.

“It is an error to think that any real benefit or success will come simply by expropriating large landholdings, dividing them into smaller production units and distributing them to others,” the Pope told the assembled legates.

Where agrarian reform is needed, he said, it must be viewed as “a complex and delicate process … Justice must be made available to all if the injuries of the past are to be left behind and a brighter future built.”

Since the reforms began three years ago, Mugabe's forces have taken 11 million hectares of farmland — and watched a nationwide famine set in.

John Paul promised the Church's full support in attempts “to construct a culture of dialogue rather than confrontation, of reconciliation rather than conflict.”

Cardinal Kasper Preaches at St. Martin-in-the-Fields

INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC NEWS, May 19 — Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, preached May 18 at a healing service at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, on the topic of “Healing and Christian Unity.”

This was the first time a member of the Curia addressed a congregation in an Anglican church in England, Independent Catholic News reported. The cardinal conveyed greetings from the Holy Father, who said he fondly remembers his 1982 trip to England. At that time, the Pope said, he recognized how much the churches shared the same Christian traditions and common heritage.

Cardinal Kasper said Jesus wanted all his disciples to be as one and for Christians to be united as one people of God.

“The challenge of our time is the striving for peace,” the cardinal said. “God wants peace and Christians should be peacemakers. God sent Jesus Christ to heal the wounds of our division so that Christians may be signs of peace and reconciliation.”

The cardinal called the divisions between Christian churches a “scandal on the face of the world.”