Vatican envoy at UN urges action to end bloodshed in Syria
May 16, 2013
The Vatican’s representative at UN headquarters in New York has underlined “the grave concern with which the Holy See has been following the unceasing spiral of violence by which Syria has been overwhelmed.”
Archbishop Francis Chullikatt said that any world leaders with influence over the warring parties in Syria should “call upon them to halt immediately the blood-bath and the continual violations of human rights that only open the door to further retaliation and recrimination.” He added that the government and rebels alike should be reminded of “their own obligations with respect to international humanitarian law, guaranteeing, particularly, immediate and safe access to the most needy population, inter alia, by humanitarian aid workers.”
The archbishop made a special plea for the two Orthodox bishops who remain in the hands of unknown kidnappers.
“Before the judgment of history and of anyone of good will,” Archbishop Chullikatt said, “it behoves all individuals and state or international institutions to facilitate the closure of this painful chapter of Syrian history, once and for all, and to find a lasting solution worthy of the dignity of the people of that great nation.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
