Reprinted courtesy Vatican Information Services.

VATICAN CITY, 4 JAN 2009 (VIS) – After the Angelus the Pope invited all to pray for an end to the war in Gaza, recalling that hatred and war do not resolve problems.

“Today, in all the churches of the Holy Land, the patriarchs and leaders of the Christian churches of Jerusalem invite the faithful to pray for an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip and implore justice and peace for their land. I join with them and ask you to do the same, remembering, as they are saying, ‘the victims, the wounded, those with broken hearts, who are living in anguish and fear, that God bless them with consolation, patience, and the peace that proceeds from Him”.
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Palestinian Issa Abu Atta places chimes inside olivewood nativities at a crafters workshop in Beit Sahour, West Bank.

Supported by CRS’s Fair Trade Fund and The Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society, such programs were formed to counter the deterioration of the local handcrafts industry, which was threatened by regional conflict.

CRS buys the handcrafts through SERRV Fair Trade Organization. Photo by Debbie Hill for CRS

A pilgrim prays by candlelight at the wall of Christ’s tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the old city of Jerusalem. This is one of the holiest sites in the world for Christians. As the holiday season approaches and we sing about peace on earth, CRS reflects on its nearly 50 years of service in the Holy Land.

Our projects aim to support peace with justice for all people in this troubled region. Years of conflict have made youngsters feel bleak about their futures., CRS gives them a sense of hope and possibility with programs that introduce them to potential career paths, and encourage them to help the less fortunate. Photo by David Snyder for CRS