Vatican City, 9 April 2014 (VIS) –
“Last Monday Fr. Frans van der Lugt, a Dutch Jesuit brother aged
75, was assassinated in Syria. Fr. Van der Lugt had always been good
to all, acting with love and gratuity, and was therefore loved and
esteemed by both Christians and Muslims”, said Pope Francis, after
today's catechesis. “His brutal killing filled me with profound
sadness and made me think once again of the many people who suffer
and die in that afflicted country, which has already been too long in
the throes of a bloody conflict that continues to spread death and
destruction. I also think of the many people kidnapped, both
Christians and Muslims, Syrian and from other countries, among whom
there are bishops and priests. I ask the Lord that they may soon
return to their loved ones and to their families and communities”.
He continued, “I fervently implore
all to join in my prayer for peace in Syria and throughout the
region, and make a heartfelt appeal to the Syrian authorities and to
the international community: set down your weapons and bring an end
to the violence! No more war! No more destruction! Respect human
rights, take care of your people who are in need of humanitarian
assistance, and pursue the longed-for peace through dialogue and
reconciliation”.
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