DECLARATION FROM HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR

VATICAN CITY, 11 MAY 2009 (VIS) - This evening, following the Holy Father's meeting with representatives of organisations involved in inter-religious dialogue at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. released the following declaration:

"The intervention of Sheikh Tayssir Attamimi was not scheduled by the organisers of the meeting. In a meeting dedicated to dialogue this intervention was a direct negation of what a dialogue should be. We hope that such an incident will not damage the mission of the Pope aiming at promoting peace and also inter-religious dialogue, as he has clearly affirmed in many occasions during this pilgrimage. We hope also that inter-religious dialogue in the Holy Land will not be compromised by this incident".
OP/INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE/LOMBARDI VIS 20090512 (140)