JOINT APPEAL BY POPE AND PATRIARCH FOR PEACE IN THE BALKANS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 1999 (VIS) - This afternoon in the patriarchal palace of Bucharest, Pope John Paul II and Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist of Romania signed a joint declaration, in which they appealed to "those responsible for the current tragedy to have the courage to resume dialogue" in order to end the conflict in Yugoslavia.

Following are excerpts from the French-language declaration:

"As we are united in fraternity and charity, ... our affectionate thoughts go out to our brothers and sisters of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, who are overwhelmed by so many trials and sufferings.

"(As) fathers and servants of our communities, ... (and) united especially to the pastors of our Churches in the Balkans, we wish:

"To express our human and spiritual solidarity with those who, driven from their homes and their land, and separated from their dear ones, are experiencing the cruel reality of exodus, as well as with the victims of the murderous bombings and with all the populations prevented from living in serenity and peace;

"To appeal in the name of God to all those who, in one way or another, are responsible for the current tragedy to have the courage to resume dialogue and to find the proper conditions for building a just and lasting peace which allows displaced persons to return to their homes, alleviates the suffering of all those who live in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbs, Albanians and persons of other nationalities, and establishes the foundations for a new coexistence among the peoples of the federation;

"To encourage the international community and its institutions to put into action all the resources of law to assist the parties in conflict to resolve their differences according to the conventions in force."

"To support all humanitarian organizations, in particular those of Christian inspiration, who are dedicating themselves to relieving the sufferings of the present moment."

"To appeal to Christians of all denominations to commit themselves concretely and to join in unanimous and incessant prayer for peace and understanding among peoples."

"In the name of God, Father of every person, we earnestly ask the parties involved in the conflict to once and for all lay down their weapons, and we fervently exhort these parties to perform prophetic deeds, so that a new 'art de vivre' in the Balkans, marked by respect for everyone, by fraternity and social interaction, will be possible in this beloved land."

PV-ROMANIA;APPEAL PEACE BALKANS;...;TEOCTIST;VIS;19990510;Word: 410;