PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF BOMB IN COLOMBIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2003 (VIS) - Following is the telegram sent in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Bishop Ramon Dario Molina Jaramillo of Neiva, Colombia, for the victims of a bomb that exploded yesterday in that city:

"His Holiness John Paul II received with deep regret the sad news of the loathsome attack perpetrated yesterday which caused innocent victims and numerous injured, including children and security officers, as well as serious material damage. In this circumstance, he expresses once again his energetic denunciation and firm condemnation of these new acts of terrorism that attack peaceful coexistence and offend the sentiments of the beloved Colombian people, the majority of whom are against violence and horror and who are lovers of peace in justice.
"The Pope, while he offers prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of those who died, asks Your Excellency to convey his heartfelt condolences to the family members of the dead, along with the assurance of his prayers for the swift and complete recovery of the injured. At the same time, the Holy Father feels very close to the pastor and ecclesial community of Neiva, so tried by this painful incident, and desires to make an urgent appeal to those responsible for these detestable actions to cease on that path of destruction and death which will never facilitate the authentic progress of the Colombian people.

"With these sentiments, the Supreme Pontiff imparts the consoling apostolic blessing on all those who are suffering in this hour of grief and all those who assist them."

TGR;BOMB; COLOMBIA;...;SODANO; MOLINA;VIS;20030217;Word: 280;