On the eve of September 11th, Pope Benedict XVI has written a letter to the Archbishop
of the city where 10 years ago an unprecedented act of terror cost the lives of nearly
3,000 people and changed the world forever.
In the letter addressed to Archbishop
Timothy Dolan od New York, Pope Benedict said he was praying for the thousands of
innocent victims of the ``brutal assault'' on the iconic Twin Towers of the World
Trade Center and the further attacks in Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania and said
he hoped their families find some consolation.
He said the tragedy of 9/11
was compounded by the attackers' claim to be acting in God's name. ``Once again”,
writes the Pope “it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify
acts of terrorism”.
He called for a greater commitment to justice and a ``global
culture of solidarity'' to rid the world of the types of grievances that spark such
acts of violence. And he commended the people of America for the courage and generosity
that they showed in the rescue operations and for their resilience in moving forward
with hope and confidence.
Full text of letter:
To my Venerable
Brother, The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, President United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ!
On this day my thoughts turn to the somber events of September 11,
2001, when so many innocent lives were lost in the brutal assault on the twin towers
of the World Trade Center and the further attacks in Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
I join you in commending the thousands of victims to the infinite mercy of Almighty
God and in asking our heavenly Father to continue to console those who mourn the loss
of loved ones.
The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrators’
claim to be acting in God’s name. Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that
no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism. Every human life is precious
in God’s sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout
the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals
and peoples everywhere.
The American people are to be commended for the courage
and generosity that they showed in the rescue operations and for their resilience
in moving forward with hope and confidence. It is my fervent prayer that a firm commitment
to justice and a global culture of solidarity will help rid the world of the grievances
that so often give rise to acts of violence and will create the conditions for greater
peace and prosperity, offering a brighter and more secure future.
With these
sentiments, I extend my most affectionate greetings to you, your brother Bishops and
all those entrusted to your pastoral care, and I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing
as a pledge of peace and serenity in the Lord.