Tragedies can be overcome with solidarity, says Pope for funeral Mass

VATICAN: Working together in solidarity for those in need is the only way to overcome the devastation caused by the earthquake and string of aftershocks which recently struck central Italy said Pope Benedict XVI.

“The violence of the tremor has created particularly difficult situations,” he said in a written message that was read by the Pope’s personal secretary, Msgr. Georg Ganswein, at the start of a funeral Mass April 10 near the Italian city of L’Aquila. The Pope’s secretary attended the state funeral as the Pope’s representative while the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, gave the homily.

The Vatican released a copy of the message to journalists the same day.

“I am sure that, with the help of everyone, we can face the most pressing needs” that were triggered by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the city and province of L’Aquila on Apr 6, the papal message said.

“The Holy See aims to do its part together with parishes, religious institutes and lay groups,” the Pope said. Now was the time to act in cooperation with civil authorities who have been doing an excellent job, he said.

“Only in solidarity can such painful trials be overcome,” said the Pope.

And faith in God is the endless source of light and hope for these moments of pain and suffering, he said. As of Apr 10 Italian authorities said nearly 300 people had been killed and more than 1,000 were injured. Some 28,000 people had been left homeless by the quake.

The main quake of Apr 6 was followed by hundreds of tremors, including a handful of powerful aftershocks that have caused more buildings to crumble and claimed more lives. The Pope said in his funeral message that he has been following developments of this “huge tragedy” ever since he felt the first tremor at the Vatican — about 60 miles west of the epicentre. He said he was happy to see such an outpouring of aid and support for the survivors.

The Pope said he was present spiritually among those grieving the deaths of their loved ones and was praying that God would grant people the courage “to continue to have hope without giving in to discouragement.”

Hundreds of mourners attended the open-air Mass on the grounds of a military barracks near L’Aquila. Flags fluttered at half-staff as Italy declared the day for national mourning. Four long rows of some 200 wooden coffins stretched across the grounds. Caskets were covered with flowers, framed pictures and mementos. Tiny white coffins holding a child sat on top of larger coffins holding the child’s dead parent.

The Vatican had granted special permission for the funeral Mass held on Good Friday given the extraordinary circumstances of the occasion. Normally, there is no eucharistic celebration on Good Friday and Holy Communion is instead distributed during the liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.

During his Apr 8 general audience, the Pope said he would visit the quake-stricken area as soon as possible. The Vatican said no date has yet been set.

Attending the Mass were dozens of Italian political leaders, including Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi and the president of the republic.

At the end of the Mass, an imam gave an address and prayed over the coffins of six Muslim victims. — CNS

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