Vatican spokesman calls terrorist attacks in Africa “horrible” and “despicable”
Vatican spokesman calls terrorist attacks in Africa “horrible” and “despicable”
Nigeria - The pain for the victims of the attack
The Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, Cardinal Bagnasco, the Italian government and the European Commission have condemned Sunday’s fatal attacks in Nigeria and Kenya
vatican insider staff
Rome
The acts of violence which took place on Sunday, in Nigeria and Kenya are “horrific” and “despicable”, said the director of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi. He also called on the local populations “look beyond religious differences and not yield to the temptations of murderous hatred.”
“We must stay close to the victims and communities suffering as a result of this hideous violence which they experience as they peacefully celebrate a faith which proclaims love and peace for all.”
The President of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco had a similar message: “Religious persecution – he recalled – is not a new phenomenon. It was hoped that it was something that had been mostly overcome, but it has not been, in any part of the world.” However, he noted, African Christians “react to persecution with strength and not vengeance. We as Westerners and Europeans should also learn from this example.”
Italian Foreign Affairs minister, Giulio Terzi also condemned the attacks. “Enough – he said – with this atrocious and barbaric slaughter. The defence of religious freedom is an absolute priority for Italy as well.” “Italy, he went on to state, intends in both its bilateral and multilateral relations, to push for the international community’s ongoing action “against all discrimination, suppression or violence against religious minorities.”
Former People of Freedom (PdL) minister, Franco Frattini, expressed the hope that “the international community would not remain blind, but would open its eyes and intervene firmly to put an end to this suffering.” Meanwhile, the Vice-president of the Italian Senate (Pd), Vannino Chiti, said “it is important to commit to reinforcing the coexistence between nations and cultures. Religious pluralism is essential in the defence of freedom of faith and the promotion of dialogue and peace everywhere.”
A tough reaction also came from the European Commission, which “unreservedly” condemned acts of terrorism against the minority Christian communities in Nigeria and Kenya and said it hoped that the perpetrators of these crimes would be brought to justice soon.
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