(14 July 10 – RV) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the
families of victims of last Sunday’s bomb attacks in Kampala Uganda.
A statement
released today by the Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizto Lwanga, reads that the
Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of lives and that his prayers
are with the victims and their families.
74 people were killed in two separate
bomb attacks on the capital. The attacks were claimed by a Somali terrorist group
with links to Al Qaeda.
On behalf of the Church in Uganda the Archbishop appeals
to all aggrieved parties in society to renounce violence as a means of solving conflicts
and embrace dialogue. Archbishop Lwanga concludes that these “barbaric acts reveal
the evil and ugly nature of the perpetrators who do not value the sanctity of human
life”.
Full text of statement:
In the wake of this tragic loss
of innocent lives, I wish, on behalf of the Catholic Church in Uganda, to convey my
sincere condolences to all the people of Uganda and most especially to the families
of the victims that lost their livesin the deadly explosions at the Ethiopian Village
in Kabalagala and Kyadondo Rugby Club in Lugogo on Sunday. We are all deeply saddened
by this senseless act of violence and we strongly condemn the act that indiscriminately
killed and injured innocent people . This barbaric act reveals the evil and ugly
nature of the perpetrators who do not value the sanctity of human life.
We
appeal to all aggrieved parties in our society to renounce violence as means of solving
conflicts and whenever there are misunderstandings, let people embrace dialogue in
the resolution of conflicts. As we pray for the victims, we implore God’s gifts of
courage and strength for the injured and those who mourn. On Sunday 18th
July 2010, in all our Parishes and Sub-Parish Churches, we request the Parish Priests
to organize special prayers for the victims of this tragic event.
The
Holy Father, Pope Benedicts XVI, has also received the sad news and is deeply saddened
to learn of the loss of lives caused by bombings in Kampala. The Pope conveys his
heartfelt condolences to the civil authorities and to those afflicted by the attacks.
He prays for the victims, the injured and the bereaved families.