Peace call in Reutlingen: State bishop demands together and understanding

Peace call in Reutlingen: State bishop demands together and understanding

Every year at this time, the brutal attack by Hamas on Israel is recalled on October 7, 2023, an event that shook the world. State bishop Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl commented and recalled the terrible consequences of this attack: "Over 1,200 people were killed, including many children and the elderly. 239 people were kidnapped and did not know whether they will ever come home."

Gohl emphasizes that the suffering that results from this tragedy not only affects Israel, but also the inhabitants of the Gaza strip and Lebanon. "Compassion is not divisible. Words reach their limits here - so we call for God and ask for ways to peace that are not visible to us." On October 7th, he will take part in an interreligious prayer of peace in Reutlingen, organized by the Council of Religions. Here the common desire for peace becomes clear in times of the conflict. "It is important that religions are not misused for hate," continued Gohl.

messages of hope and dialogue

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, a service will take place in the Ulm Münster, which is also under memory. Prelatin Gabriele Wulz, the theological deputy of the state bishop, will address the reactions in Germany to the events of the previous year in her sermon. These left deep traces of the Jewish community in Germany. "Our 'yes, but' hurt many and left the feeling of being abandoned," noted Wulz. It emphasizes the need that Jewish people have to feel safe in our cities - a reality that is no longer the case for many.

Wulz brings an important perspective into the discussion by also illuminating the human aspects on the other side of the conflict. "On the other border, there are also mothers who are trapped in their fear and pain," she says, appealing to the compassion of the audience. She asks the question of how you can talk to each other in such a polarized world, where every word often becomes a judgment immediately and can even lead to hatred. "You don't have to love your enemies. That is too much. But you have to learn to live with them," says Wulz.

These memorial events are part of a greater endeavor to raise awareness of peace and dialogue. At a time when conflicts often challenge our attention and empathy, the message of hope and understanding becomes more and more urgent. The common prayer and the search for paths to peace are not only necessary, but also a source of consolation for many.

The current reporting on these topics offers an insight into the profound emotions and the complexity of the situation. For more information about the reactions and initiatives, editorial bodies take care of the reporting, so that interest in peace in a tense world is still in the foreground.