Nuncio: call for religious leaders to appeal for peace
The cease-fire in Syria continues to show signs of serious strain, with activists
reporting deadly attacks from government forces on opposition-held areas in the north
and south and continued bombardment of the beleaguered city of Homs. Some opposition
groups report that more than 50 people were killed over the course of the day Tuesday.
The
Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Archbishop Mario Zenari told Vatican Radio it is time for
the leaders of all religious communities in Syria to issue a joint appeal for an end
to violence. “It would be very suitable, I think,” he said, for there to be, “a courageous,
unanimous and super partes declaration from all the different religious communities’
representatives present in Syria.” The Nuncio went on to say such a declaration would
be, “A moral authority, able to speak courageously and openly to the consciences about
the tragic and painful consequences of certain wrong decisions taken by the parties
to the conflict.” Archbsihop Zenari also noted the work of the international community
to mediate the crisis, as well as the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI’s repeated calls
for an end to violence and a return to dialogue. Listen: