Pope issues Christmas call to protect children |
文章来源： 文章作者： 发布时间：2006-12-25 03:08 字体： [ 大 中 小] 进入论坛 |
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| Overview1 of St. Peter's Basilica where Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Vatican, early Monday, Dec. 25, 2006. |
| Dec. 25 - Pope Benedict ushered2 in Christmas at midnight mass on Monday, saying the image of the baby Jesus in a manger should remind everyone of the plight3 of poor, abused and neglected children the world over.
The 79-year-old Benedict, marking the second Christmas season of his pontificate, celebrated4 the mass for more than 10,000 people in St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Thousands of others watched on large screens outside on a clear, starry5 night and millions more tuned6 in via television or radio round the world.
"The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze toward all children, particularly those who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn," the Pope said in his homily, making a reference to abortion7.
"Toward children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; toward children who have to beg; toward children who suffer deprivation8 and hunger; toward children who are unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us. It is the God who has become small who appeals to us."
Just as the shepherds of Bethlehem were called by an angel to seek the child lying in the manger, modern man was called to listen to the message of the baby Jesus, the Pope said.
"Let us pray this night that the brightness of God's love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of love, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life," he said.
The Catholic Church, particularly in the United States, is still reeling from a 2002 child sexual abuse scandal involving priests. This month a papal preacher suggested the Pope should call a day of penitence9 to seek forgiveness from God.
At the start of the solemn mass, a cantor sang the Kalenda, an ancient text that presents Christ as the center of the cosmos10 and of all history.
The Pope, wearing resplendent gold and white vestments, again spoke11 out against the materialism12 that he has said several times has been allowed to dominate Christmas.
"During the festive13 meals of these days let us remember the Lord's words: 'When you give a dinner or a banquet do not invite those who will invite you in return, but invite those whom no one invites and who are not able to invite you'," he said.
"This also means when you give gifts for Christmas do not give only to those who will give to you in return but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back."
A member of the congregation read a prayer in Arabic asking God to encourage "a spirit of dialogue, mutual14 understanding and collaboration15" among followers16 of the three great monotheistic religions -- Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
On Monday at 1100 GMT the Pope will deliver his traditional, twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message and blessing17 to crowds in St. Peter's Square.
At his traditional Sunday address from the window of his apartments, he urged the world not to shut Christ out of Christmas and to banish18 prejudices hindering peace.
"May his birth not find us busy celebrating Christmas forgetting that he (Jesus) is the very person at the center of the feast," he told thousands of pilgrims and tourists.
He urged that the many people who would spend Christmas "in solitude19, in sickness and in suffering" should be remembered.
The real spirit of Christmas was a commitment to "overcome prejudices, break down barriers and eliminate situations that pitted individuals and people against each other in order to build a world of justice and peace together," the Pope said.
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点击  收听单词发音
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1
overview
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| n.概观，概述 |
参考例句： |
- The opening chapter gives a brief historical overview of transport.第一章是运输史的简要回顾。
- The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。
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2
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句： |
- The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
- A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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3
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 |
参考例句： |
- The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
- She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。
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4
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 |
参考例句： |
- He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
- The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
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5
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 |
参考例句： |
- He looked at the starry heavens.他瞧着布满星星的天空。
- I like the starry winter sky.我喜欢这满天星斗的冬夜。
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6
tuned
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| adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 |
参考例句： |
- The resort is tuned in to the tastes of young and old alike. 这个度假胜地适合各种口味，老少皆宜。
- The instruments should be tuned up before each performance. 每次演出开始前都应将乐器调好音。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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7
abortion
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| n.流产，堕胎 |
参考例句： |
- She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
- A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。
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8
deprivation
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| n.匮乏；丧失；夺去，贫困 |
参考例句： |
- Many studies make it clear that sleep deprivation is dangerous.多实验都证实了睡眠被剥夺是危险的。
- Missing the holiday was a great deprivation.错过假日是极大的损失。
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9
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 |
参考例句： |
- The thief expressed penitence for all his past actions. 那盗贼对他犯过的一切罪恶表示忏悔。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- Of penitence, there has been none! 可是悔过呢，还一点没有！ 来自英汉文学 - 红字
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10
cosmos
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| n.宇宙；秩序，和谐 |
参考例句： |
- Our world is but a small part of the cosmos.我们的世界仅仅是宇宙的一小部分而已。
- Is there any other intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos?在宇宙的其他星球上还存在别的有智慧的生物吗？
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11
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 |
参考例句： |
- They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
- The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
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12
materialism
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| n.［哲］唯物主义，唯物论；物质至上 |
参考例句： |
- Idealism is opposite to materialism.唯心论和唯物论是对立的。
- Crass materialism causes people to forget spiritual values.极端唯物主义使人忘掉精神价值。
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13
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 |
参考例句： |
- It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
- We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。
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14
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 |
参考例句： |
- We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
- Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。
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15
collaboration
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| n.合作，协作；勾结 |
参考例句： |
- The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
- He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。
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16
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 |
参考例句： |
- the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
- The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。
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17
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 |
参考例句： |
- The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
- A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。
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18
banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 |
参考例句： |
- The doctor advised her to banish fear and anxiety.医生劝她消除恐惧和忧虑。
- He tried to banish gloom from his thought.他试图驱除心中的忧愁。
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 |
参考例句： |
- People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude. 人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。
- They searched for a place where they could live in solitude. 他们寻找一个可以过隐居生活的地方。
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