Vatican spokesman laments plight of Somalia
February 28, 2012
Following the completion of a high-level diplomatic conference on Somalia, the director of the Holy See Press Office has devoted his weekly editorial to the plight of the troubled nation.
“It is a poor country, practically abandoned by the international community to chaos and violence, which, in time, led to the growth of piracy in the surrounding seas,” writes Father Federico Lombardi, SJ. “War, famine, and poverty: the ancient scourges of humanity have raged, and continue to rage, against a people that have lost the memory of hope.”
“Catholics are a tiny minority--in many places there are none at all,” he adds. “But they have given many beautiful examples of martyrdom, in solidarity with the suffering people … With this spiritual heritage, we long to participate in the work of reconciliation, peace, and reconstruction in Somalia.”
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Further information:
- Lombardi editorial: The hour of Somalia? (Vatican Radio)
- Somalia Conference Stirs Range of Sentiments (Voice of America)
- Conference in London: the Constituent Assembly for Somalia, renewed commitment to fight terrorism and piracy (Fides)
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