Condemnation of “all forms of violence, any cynical use of human lives and disproportionate violence”, a prayer vigil for peace and a day of fasting – this is how the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem responds to “another outburst of hatred and violence, which is once again bleeding all over the Holy Land”.  In a statement received by SIR news agency, Mgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, wrote: “The lives of so many young people have once again been shut down and hundreds of families are mourning their loved ones, dead or wounded. As in a kind of vicious circle, we must condemn all forms of violence, any cynical use of human lives and disproportionate violence. Once again we are forced by circumstances to plead and cry out for justice and peace! These expressions of condemnation are similarly repeated, each and every time”. Hence the Archbishop’s invitation to the entire Christian community of the Diocese “to join in prayer for the Holy Land, for the peace of all its inhabitants, for the peace of Jerusalem, for all the victims of this interminable conflict” in a prayer vigil for peace which will be held in the Church of St Stephen (École Biblique) on the eve of Pentecost, next Saturday, at 17:00. “I also invite the entire Diocese – parishes, religious communities, associations and movements – in these days of preparation for the Solemnity of Pentecost, to dedicate a day of prayer and fasting for the peace of Jerusalem and that the liturgy of the day of Pentecost be dedicated to prayer for peace. We must truly pray to the Spirit – Mgr. Pizzaballa concluded – to change our hearts to better understand His will and to give us the strength to continue to work for justice and peace!”.