Bishop denounces continued bombing campaign in Libya

April 28, 2011

The apostolic vicar of Tripoli has renewed his condemnation of the bombing of Libya by NATO forces.

“On Easter Monday, we witnessed a terrible bombing on Tripoli, but this did not stop the faithful to be present in the church,” Bishop Giovanni Martinelli told the Fides news agency. “The United Nations has decided to make war and does not allow any form of dialogue as a means of resolving disputes. Everyone wants to continue to pursue the solution of the bombs. It is sad, terrible, because nothing will change. It is a defeat for humanity.”

"NATO and the rebels must stop the military intervention and accept diplomatic talks with the regime,” the bishop said. He was especially critical of the policies adopted by Italy, which has backed the air war after years of support for the Qaddafi regime. "If this is the [Italian] government's choice," he said, "it would be better for everyone that it resign."

 

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Further information:

• "The bombs go ahead: a defeat for humanity" says Bishop Martinelli from Tripoli (Fides)
• This “war makes no sense”, the Italian govt should “resign”, Tripoli bishop says (AsiaNews)