How Many More Prophets Will We Ignore?

Will we walk on by another Voice that "cries out in the wilderness?" For indeed, Pope Benedict XVI cries out in the midst of this wilderness we can only call Western Civilization. Get the story here.

The essentials:

The pope, welcomed the recent enactment of Sudan's new Constitution - the result of a peace accord between Khartoum's Muslim authorities and the mainly Christian and animist former rebels in the country's south - as an opportunity and duty for the Catholic Church to "contribute significantly to the process of forgiveness and national reconstruction."

"Though a minority, Catholics have much to offer through inter-religious dialogue as well as the provision of greatly needed social services. I encourage you therefore to take the necessary initiatives to realise Christ’s healing presence in these ways," he told Wako.

However, the pope said he felt compelled to "add my voice to the cry of the suffering" in Darfur, adding that the Vatican will continue to do everything possible to "end the cycle of violence and misery."

More than 200,000 people have been killed in the Western region of Darfur since fighting broke out in March last year between the mainly African local population, government troops and government-backed Arab militias. Recent attempts to find a negotiated solution have been hampered by clashes between the two main rebel groups and continued raids by the Arab Janjaweed militias

How long, O Lord, how long? When will we turn our face to you again? When will we remember your name and praise you before all nations? When will we stop ignoring the cries of your children, calling out in our midst? Forgive us, O Lord, for we have failed you yet again! Forgive us, and strengthen us to stand for the justice your children deserve. Help us to stand fast for you and be true!