Christians should pray for the soul of Osama bin Laden even though he is their enemy, because forgiveness is the key teachings of the Christian Scriptures. French Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, 87 years, said it was told the Italian daily, Il Messaggero, in an interview published on Wednesday (04/05/2011).
"I have prayed for the soul of Osama Bin Laden. We should pray for him as we pray for the victims of September 11. That's what Jesus taught to Christians," said Cardinal Vanhoye.
"Jesus has required us to forgive our enemies. Prayer 'Our Father' we say it's a greeting every day. Would not it be said in prayer," Forgive us our faults, as we also forgive the guilty to us, "said Vanhoye.
"(It) is not possible to accept this prayer while holding on to resentment and hatred against our enemy," he said. Vanhoye, a Jesuit priest, was appointed a cardinal in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI. He is famous for his scientific work in the Christian Scriptures.
"I have prayed for the soul of Osama Bin Laden. We should pray for him as we pray for the victims of September 11. That's what Jesus taught to Christians," said Cardinal Vanhoye.
"Jesus has required us to forgive our enemies. Prayer 'Our Father' we say it's a greeting every day. Would not it be said in prayer," Forgive us our faults, as we also forgive the guilty to us, "said Vanhoye.
"(It) is not possible to accept this prayer while holding on to resentment and hatred against our enemy," he said. Vanhoye, a Jesuit priest, was appointed a cardinal in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI. He is famous for his scientific work in the Christian Scriptures.
