More than 1,000 Catholics gathered yesterday to pray for peace in the Middle East at a Mass celebrated by Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, who repeated the Vatican's call for an immediate cease-fire and "responsible negotiations" to end the "situations of injustice" in that part of the world.
"We can all be justifiably alarmed that the violence so visible in Lebanon and Israel is qualitatively different from just a year ago because of the introduction of a new level of weaponry . . . and the frightening implications of wider involvement by other nations," Wuerl said in his homily.
Wuerl, who became head of the Washington Archdiocese last month, cautioned his listeners not to lose hope for peace in that troubled region, reminding them of the power of prayer to "change hearts."
The noon Mass, held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast Washington, was in response to Pope Benedict XVI's call on Friday for Catholics around the world to observe yesterday as a special day of prayer for peace in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon.
The Vatican also called for an immediate cease-fire, humanitarian corridors to bring aid to those suffering and negotiations toward ending injustice in the affected nations.
On Tuesday, U.S. Catholic bishops urged the United States to work for a cease-fire and "negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to bring about security for Israel and a viable state for the Palestinians."
The Mass at the Basilica was attended by 1,126 worshipers -- about 400 more than the regular attendance at Sunday Mass there, a shrine official said.
Chevy Chase resident Christine Tan, who teaches English, said she came after hearing about the Mass on the radio. "It looks very dangerous right now, with no end to the fighting in sight, and other countries may become involved," Tan said.
Worshiper Patricia Dela Torre of Northeast Washington said: "I feel sad because . . . it's civilians that are the ones . . . who suffer the consequences of the war."
Wuerl said in a brief interview after the Mass that the Middle East needs "meaningful conversation."
"The ultimate goal is to resolve this in a way that everyone in the Middle East can live with it," he said.
Even though Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have failed in the past, the archbishop added, "Sometimes you just have to continue, you have to go back, and you have to keep trying again.
"That was what we were praying for today. . . . Violence will never resolve the problems of the Middle East."
Pope Benedict XVI called on people of all religions to join Sunday's worldwide day of prayers for peace on Friday July 21, 2006.

The Pope spent an hour hiking in the Big Paradise National Park, returning to his mountain retreat just as rain started to fall. He said the gorgeous mountain vistas further impressed on him the gravity of the crisis.

"I think it is best to leave that to the diplomats, because we don't enter politics. But we do everything for peace. Our goal is simply peace, and we will do everything to help attain peace," Pope Benedict XVI said, after he returned from an hour-long hike in the Italian Alps.

"Especially from Lebanon, who implored us, as they have implored the Italian government, to help." "We will help with our prayers and with the people we have in Lebanon," said the pope.

"Seeing this peace that God gives me, I am even more struck by the suffering of many others," he said.

People around the world prayed for peace. In Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, repeated the Vatican's call for an immediate cease-fire.