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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed May 30th, 2007 04:28 pm |
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The Pope consoles Gerry and Kate McCann
Vatican City, May 30, 2007 / 09:34 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI compassionately held the hands of the parents of 4-year-old Madeleine McCann, blessing them and a photo of the girl at the Wednesday audience today. The couple, who is Catholic, went to ask prayers for their daughter who disappeared while the family was vacationing in Portugal.
Thirty two thousand people were present at the general audience, but the pope took time to meet with Gerry and Kate McCann. "He was very kind, very sincere," Kate McCann told a packed news conference. According to the Associated Press, she said Benedict reassured them that he would "continue to pray for Madeleine's safe return."
"It was more personal than I ever could have imagined," said Gerry McCann. When Benedict saw a photograph of Madeline he recognized her right away. "His touch and thoughts and words were more tender than we could have hoped and that will sustain us during this most difficult time," he said.
When the Catholic couple expressed their desire to meet with the Holy Father to ask for his prayers the Holy See was quick to say yes.
A Vatican spokesman, Fr. Ciro Benedettini, said British Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor asked for the meeting to be arranged.
"We are talking about a family drama that has touched world public opinion. It could not but touch the Holy Father, especially since these people are Catholics," Benedettini said.
"The Holy Father is considered the father of all, therefore he was personally touched as a father," the spokesman said.
"Obviously we have very mixed emotions about being here, and of course why we are here." Gerry McCann said as the couple arrived in St. Peter's Square. "In normal circumstances it would be one of the most exciting things we could do in our own lifetimes, but very much on our minds is the fact that we are here without Madeleine." Expressing his gratefulness for the support they have received he said, "One evil act seems to be generating so much good.”
Madeleine McCann disappeared May 3 when her parents left her and her 2-year-old twin siblings alone in their hotel room while they went to a restaurant in their hotel complex in Praia da Luz, a resort town in Portugal's Algarve region. Gerry and Kate McCann have said they will not return to Britain without their daughter.
Kate McCann is traveling with a pink stuffed animal — Cuddle Cat — that her daughter took to bed with her every night.
The above article is reposted with permission from the Catholic News Agency.
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Thu May 31st, 2007 01:44 pm |
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I have been praying daily for this little child to be reunited with her family. A loss of words accompanies tragedies such as this. All most of us can do is pray. We should hug our children, grandchildren and appreciate the time we are given to spend with our loved ones while on this earth.
Lord Jesus, watch over little Madeleine and comfort her precious heart. Reunite her with her parents very soon. Blessed guardian angel, be near to this innocent child in her waking and sleeping hours. Precious Holy Spirit, please bring swift conviction into the hearts of those who kidnapped this lovely child and cause them to repent of their sinful deeds. Heavenly Father, have mercy on us all.
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 958 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Thu May 31st, 2007 02:31 pm |
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| My heart breaks for this couple but I have to wonder what were they thinking leaving three young children alone in a hotel room- even if the kids were asleep when they left. I know that they were in the same hotel but sheesh in this day and age?
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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1611 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 31st, 2007 02:43 pm |
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| I don't feel safe when I'm alone in a hotel room! I know these parents are beside themselves with guilt as well as grief. God speed her safe return, and repentance and mercy for the kidnapper.
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heardclarke
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 9th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 230 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Episcopalian; confirmed RC Easter 2005 |
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Posted: Fri Jun 22nd, 2007 01:32 pm |
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I read an article about this kidnapping a few days ago...it seems that the restaurant was really close, about 50 feet away from their room. It also says that the mom went back every 30 minutes to check on the kids.
I might have been tempted to think it was safe enough, before hearing about this story, but I know my husband wouldn't have agreed. And clearly he would have been right.
I can't imagine the horror that these parents are going through now. God help them.
Lisa
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Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
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