AFRICA: LIBYA: NUNCIO BUILD PEACE -NO REJOICING OVER DEATH OF GADDAFI

Agenzia Fides REPORT - "When faced with the death of a man, sentiments of Christian piety, besides human sentiments must always prevail. One cannot therefore rejoice over an epilogue, the death of Colonel Gaddafi, thats belongs to a period of conflict that lasted for such a long time and caused the sacrifice of many lives", said a statement sent to Agenzia Fides , by His Exc. Mgr. Tommaso Caputo, Apostolic Nuncio to Libya and Malta.
"Now more than ever, the sincere desire to ensure everyone in the Country a new period, based on a new-found social harmony is necessary to make headway on all sides", continues Mgr. Campbell. "From the moment one has the reconstruction of the Country, at all levels, the goal of national reconciliation appears to be the main opportunity in which to tie the need for social justice and respect for the dignity of every person, as an essential condition for an orderly and equal social development. Over the past four years, travelling throughout the country and in particular our religious operating in thirteen different government health facilities in Cyrenaica and in Tripolitania, I have come to believe that the Libyans heart is nourished by the desire of peace and harmony. This is what we hope for the future", concluded the Apostolic Nuncio.
A note from the Vatican Press Office said that "now it is to be hoped that, sparing the Libyan people from further violence due to a spirit of revenge or vengeance, the new government leaders may undertake as soon as possible the necessary work of pacification and reconstruction, with a spirit of inclusion, on the basis of justice and law, and that the international community is generously committed to helping the rebuilding of the country".
"On its behalf - continues the Vatican note - the small Catholic community will continue to offer its testimony and selfless service in particular in the charitable and health field, and the Holy See will work in favor of the Libyan people with the tools available in the field of international relations in the spirit of promoting justice and peace".
Recalling the normal practice of the Holy See to establish diplomatic relations, the note points out that since the National Transitional Council (NTC) "has been established as a government in an effective way in Tripoli, the Holy See considers it the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, in accordance with international law". After recalling the various meetings between representatives of the Holy See and the NTC, the note concludes: "On the occasion of these various meetings, the importance of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Libya was stressed by both parties . The Holy See had the opportunity to renew its support for the Libyan people and its support for the transition. The Holy See wished every success to the new authorities in the reconstruction of the Country. The leaders of the new Libya have announced its appreciation for the humanitarian appeals of the Holy Father and the Church's involvement in Libya, especially through the service in hospitals or other care centers of 13 religious communities (6 in Tripoli and 7 in Cyrenaica). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2011)

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