At his General Audience Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he has sent Cardinal
Peter Turkson as his envoy to Ivory Coast. Speaking in French to the thousands gathered
beneath a warm Spring sun in St Peter’s Square the Holy Father launched the following
appeal:
“For some time now, my thoughts have often turned to the people of
Ivory Coast, traumatized by painful internal strife and serious social and political
tensions. While I express my closeness to all those who have lost a loved one and
suffer from violence, I urgently appeal a process of constructive dialogue be undertaken
as soon as possible for the common good".
"The dramatic opposition makes the
restoration of respect and peaceful coexistence more urgent. No effort should be spared
in this regard. With these sentiments, I have decided to send Cardinal Peter Turkson
Kodwo, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to this noble country,
" to express my solidarity and that of the universal Church to victims of conflict
and to promote reconciliation and peace”.
The violent dispute over last November's
presidential election in the West African nation, that U.N.-certified results showed
Alasanne Ouattara won, but which incumbent Laurent Gbagbo refuses to concede, has
reignited the civil war the ballot was meant to end.