DOME OF ST. PETER'S IS NOT DAMAGED

VATICAN CITY, NOV 10, 1999 (VIS) - The Fabric of St. Peter's, the Vatican office responsible for the care and maintenance of St. Peter's Basilica, issued the following communique in response to news regarding the presence of damaged sections in the dome of the basilica:

"The Fabric of St. Peter's denies the presence of damage to the foundations, structure and decorations of the dome and the internal vault of the basilica.

"There is no damage to the stability of the dome or to the sections closest, and the initiative to undertake an investigation, promoted by the Judge of the Vatican City, came about in the wake of the imprecise and unreliable information that has been spread in the last few days, and not because of true technical motives.

"This investigation represents part of the supervisory process normally used by institutions of the Holy See in protecting and maintaining their artistic and architectural property and it is more than ever necessary in order to refute the inexact information that has been spread.

"The cardinal archpriest of the Vatican Basilica as well as the directors and personnel of the Fabric of St. Peter's, have never given interviews or made declarations that may confirm or validate, even to a small degree, (the presence of) dangers or cracks.

"Furthermore, the restoration work that has involved various parts of the basilica, provided a further occasion to ascertain and verify the general condition of the whole basilica complex, which has been shown to be in perfect condition."

FP;ST PETER'S DOME;...;...;VIS;19991110;Word: 250;