Holy See recognizes Libya’s interim government after Gaddafi

(October 21, 2011) The Holy See has announced that it considers Libya's interim government the legitimate rulers of the country after the reported death of Muammar Gaddafi. It said the death of Gaddafi marked the end of a “long and tragic” fight to crush a “cruel and oppressive regime.” The Holy See’s stand was declared in a statement released by the Vatican press office late Thursday, several hours after Gaddafi was reported killed in his coastal hometown of Sirte, where he had been barricaded with loyalist troops. His death came after months of bloody civil strife and NATO airstrikes in support of Libyan rebels. The Holy See expressed hope that bloodshed would end in the North African country, and that the new Libyan government would open a rebuilding phase based on "a spirit of inclusion" and social justice. The statement said that for several weeks now Vatican officials have had contact with members of the National Transitional Council in Rome at the Libyan embassy to the Holy See and in New York at the U.N. General Assembly. It said that while it hadn't gone through a formal diplomatic recognition of the former rebel movement, ``the Holy See considers it the legitimate representation of the Libyan people, conforming to international law.''
The Vatican said the Libyan conflict had been "too long and tragic" and should prompt reflection on the "cost of immense human suffering" that accompanies the collapse of systems not founded on respect for human rights. It encouraged the new Libyan government to try to prevent further violence caused by a spirit of revenge and to begin a program of pacification. The international community, it said, should provide generous aid toward the reconstruction of the country. For its part, the minority Catholic community in Libya will continue to offer "its witness and its unselfish service, especially in the areas of charity and health care," it said. The officials of Libya's new government have expressed appreciation for the humanitarian appeals of Pope Benedict XVI and for the church's service in Libya, in particular the work of 13 religious communities in hospitals or assistance centres.
Meanwhile, in a separate comment on the end of Muammar Gaddafi, Vatican’s top official for justice and peace issues has said that the world can never rejoice over the death of a person, not even of a criminal. Speaking to TMNnews, Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace said the Church always seeks the conversion of persons. Gaddafi could have sought asylum elsewhere, where he could reflect on his past and seek pardon. Instead he chose to fight to the end. The Ghanian cardinal regretted the way the Libyan leader died, saying with every loss of life there is some sadness. “The world,” he said, “can never celebrate the death of a person, not even of a criminal.” Looking ahead after Gaddafi, the Vatican official said Libya now needs reconciliation in order to forge ahead as one nation. Commenting on the ‘Arab Spring’ that is sweeping North Africa and the Middle East, Cardinal Turkson said what is needed is freedom for all – including the minority Christian community.