North African bishops: ‘No to war’ in Libya
March 29, 2011
The bishops of Northern Africa have called for an end to the military conflict in Libya.
“We know that war solves nothing, and when it breaks out, it is just as uncontrollable as the explosion of a nuclear reactor,” the bishops stated. “The first victims are always the poorest and most disadvantaged. Moreover, whether we like it or not, the war in the Near East, and now in the Maghreb, will always be interpreted as a ‘crusade.’ This will have inevitable consequences on the friendly relations that Christians and Muslims have woven and continue to weave.”
While making an “urgent appeal to find an end to this painful conflict,” the bishops see a “legitimate claim for freedom, justice and dignity, particularly by the younger generations. This demand translates into a desire to be recognized as responsible citizens with the opportunity to find a job that allows them to live decently, excluding all forms of corruption and cronyism.”
“Today, this wind of change passes through Libya.”
In a separate statement, the apostolic vicar of Tripoli, Libya’s capital, welcomed Pope Benedict’s “urgent appeal to international organizations and political and military leaders for immediate dialogue, to suspend the use of arms.”
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Further information:
- Bishops of Northern Africa: “No to war. We will make the Pope's appeal our own” (Fides)
- “Thank you, Holy Father, for your beautiful words of peace”: testimony to Fides from the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli (Fides)
- Pope seeks end to bombing in Libya (CWN, 3/27)
- US bishops: military intervention in Libya ‘appears to meet’ key just-war standard (CWN, 3/27)
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Mar. 29, 2011 9:53 PM ET USA
Boy, we still are reminded of Rwanda's massacre,when we ignored them. Confusing!
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Posted by: Obregon -
Mar. 29, 2011 3:14 PM ET USA
Perhaps the North African Bishops should say to the victims of Qaddafi's regime, "“We know that war solves nothing..." Gee, I'm a bit confused since the USCCB seems to be saying the opposite of what the North African bishops are saying! Good luck with a dictator who was willing to go house to house to butcher his enemies. I don't think he is ready for a diplomatic "dialogue."
