Papal aid for displaced in Ivory Coast

(February 08, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI has sent 50,000 euros for the displaced in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The papal aid was announced on Monday by Archbishop Ambrose Madtha, the Indian-born prelate, who serves as apostolic nuncio to Ivory Coast. The prelate said the sum was sent to Bishop Gaspard Béby Gnéba of Man, to help care for displaced persons.
Archbishop Madtha said when the Pope was informed of the socio-political situation in the Ivory Coast, after the second round of presidential elections, he was particularly touched by the situation of displaced persons caused by the bloody inter-ethnic clashes, which caused the numerous loss of lives and forced people to leave their lands and homes. The Pope, desiring ardently to show his closeness and his deep concern for these people, sent the much needed financial help, said the prelate..
17% of the nation’s 20.8 million people are Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.