Following this morning's meeting of the College of Cardinals in the Synod Hall at the Vatican, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ shared the following statement with journalists.
At the same time, we are very concerned by the ongoing conflict in Syria, which still seems far from the possibility of finding an enduring peaceful solution, as is also the case in the Central African Republic, which appears to continually escalate every day. Ever more urgent is the need for the initiatives of the international community in favor of internal peace and reconciliation, and toward the restoration of security and the rule of law which will allow indispensable access to those who bear humanitarian assistance for victims.
Unfortunately, we have noted that many of the conflicts currently in progress are described as religious in nature, often pitting Christians and Muslims against each other, while in reality these conflicts are often rooted in ethnic, political or economic realities.
For its part, the Catholic Church, which condemns all violence perpetrated in the name of religious affiliation, will continue its commitment to peace and reconciliation, by means of inter-religious dialogue and the many works of charity which bring daily help and comfort to those who are suffering in all parts of the world.
Declaration of Father Federico Lombardi, SJ
on behalf of the College of Cardinals
meeting in the Extraordinary Consistory
meeting in the Extraordinary Consistory
During the Extraordinary Consistory, the Holy Father and the College of Cardinals have raised to the Lord a special supplication in favor of the numerous Christians who, in various parts of the world, seem to fall victim more and more frequently to acts of intolerance or persecution. To all of those who suffer because of the Gospel, the Holy Father and the Cardinals wish to renew the assurance of their constant prayer, while encouraging them to remain steadfast in faith and to imitate the example of the Lord Jesus in willingly forgiving their persecutors.
Likewise, the thoughts of the Holy Father and the Cardinals are also directed toward the nations which, at this time, are wounded by internal conflicts or by serious tensions which affect the normal life of society, such as South Sudan and Nigeria, where a steady stream of attacks have left numerous innocent victims in their wake against an ever-growing climate of indifference. In these most recent hours, they are also following the dramatic developments in the Ukraine, and are united in calling for a hasty cessation of all violence so that concord and peace may be re-established.
At the same time, we are very concerned by the ongoing conflict in Syria, which still seems far from the possibility of finding an enduring peaceful solution, as is also the case in the Central African Republic, which appears to continually escalate every day. Ever more urgent is the need for the initiatives of the international community in favor of internal peace and reconciliation, and toward the restoration of security and the rule of law which will allow indispensable access to those who bear humanitarian assistance for victims.
Unfortunately, we have noted that many of the conflicts currently in progress are described as religious in nature, often pitting Christians and Muslims against each other, while in reality these conflicts are often rooted in ethnic, political or economic realities.
For its part, the Catholic Church, which condemns all violence perpetrated in the name of religious affiliation, will continue its commitment to peace and reconciliation, by means of inter-religious dialogue and the many works of charity which bring daily help and comfort to those who are suffering in all parts of the world.
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