11/05/2013, 00.00
INDIA-SYRIA
Send to a friend

Card. Gracias: Shocked by the attack on Nunciature in Damascus

by card. Oswald Gracias
The president of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) expressed "admiration for the courage of Msgr. Zenari" nuncio in Syria. According to the Indian cardinal "peace talks are the only option" to solve the crisis in the Middle Eastern country.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - It is with "deep sorrow and grief" that the Church in India has learned of "the attack on the Damascus Nunciature", which took place this morning. As president of the Episcopal Commission of India (CBCI), Card. Oswald Gracias sent a message of solidarity to Msgr. Mario Zenari nuncio in Syria on behalf of the 18 million Catholics in the country. Following is the full text of the message.

"We express deep sorrow and consternation on learning of the attack on the Nunciature in Damascus. We admire the courage of the Nuncio Msgr Mario Zenari who continues to stay there, it is of utmost urgency, that measures be taken as to guarantee the security and safety of the diplomatic mission and its personnel.

The diplomatic see of the Vatican, is  the Holy Father's house in Syria, Pope Francis has consistently appealed  for Peace in  Syria, taking the initiative calling for  Global  Day of Prayer  for Syria on 7th Sept.  Pope Francis has urged  world leaders  not to plunge humanity further into a 'spiral of sorrow and death.

The Church in India  is traumatized  and anguished as the  humanitarian situation in Syria continues to deteriorate rapidly, innocent people have been caught in the relentless barrage from all sides, their lives destroyed and lost.

The Church in Asia agonizes over the devastating impact of the Syrian conflict on women and children, the conflict exacts a heavy toll on women who suffer hardship and fear alone, the conflict  is a constant source of fear and anxiety for people, child refugees now number around one million.

Peace talks remian the only option to resolve the Syria crisis ... Dialogue can end the Syrian conflict, safeguard the lives of the people and build a viable future. The Church in India, our 18 million Catholics, pray that the land of Syria find peace."

 

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
For Fr Tom, abducted in Yemen, Holy Thursday prayer and adoration for the martyrs
21/03/2016 14:57
Pope talks about the Middle East, the Holy Land and the food crisis with Bush
13/06/2008
Mortar fire hits Nunciature in Damascus, no casualties
05/11/2013
Radio talk-show to foster inter-faith dialogue in Mindanao
18/07/2008
Pope: urgent appeal for the release of Fr. Dall'Oglio, kidnapped two years ago in Syria
26/07/2015


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”