Holy See voices ‘great concern’ over Syria
December 05, 2011
A leading Holy See diplomat, addressing a meeting of the Human Rights Council, expressed “great concern” over violence in Syria.
“The delegation of the Holy See follows with great concern the dramatic and growing episodes of violence in Syria which have caused many victims and grave suffering,” said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, who represents the Holy See at UN institutions in Geneva.
“On this occasion I wish to reiterate the repeated appeals of the Holy Father to the faithful to pray that the effort for reconciliation may prevail over division and resentment, and to the authorities and all the citizens to spare no effort in the search for the common good and in the acceptance of legitimate aspirations for a future of peace and stability.”
The prelate later told Vatican Radio that “we need to take a look at what might happen in the near future in a country that is made up of Sunni and Shia Muslim … and the Christian community is not a very small community.”
“The curse of the Middle East seems that everything is resolved by way of violence instead of dialogue and effort to live together in peace,” he added. “The preoccupation not only of the Holy See but of the entire international community is to help and encourage, even through concrete measures, the people of Syria to find a path of reconciliation and a way of living together in mutual respect of the fundamental rights of everyone.”
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Further information:
- Vatican voices concern for Syria at UN special session (Vatican Radio)
- Syria faces new sanctions as Arab League deadline passes (CNN)
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