Syria nuncio urges religious leaders to appeal for peace

(April 20, 2012) The Apostolic Nuncio to Syria feels it is time for the leaders of all religious communities in the troubled nation to issue a joint appeal for an end to violence. “It would be very suitable, I think, that there be a courageous and unanimous declaration from the representatives of all the different religious communities present in Syria,” Archbishop Mario Zenari told Vatican Radio. The Apostolic 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.” Archbishop 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. The United Nations, in its effort to boost a fragile week-old ceasefire between the government and opposition forces, is hoping to sending in 30 cease-fire monitors in the country next week and there are already plans for the deployment of up to 300. The troubled nation has already been through 13 months of bloodshed.