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Pope Benedict XVI is sending a delegation of bishops, including Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, to Syria in late October to show solidarity with victims of violence and encourage peace negotiations.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, made the announcement on Oct. 16, the Catholic News Service reported.
“In the certainty that the only possible solution to the crisis is a political solution, and bearing in mind the immense suffering of the population, the fate of displaced persons, and the future of that nation, it has been suggested that our synodal assembly express its solidarity,” Cardinal Bertone said.
The cardinal said the pope had instructed a delegation of six bishops and a priest to express, on behalf of the pope and the synod: “our fraternal solidarity with the entire population”; “our spiritual closeness to our Christian brothers and sisters”; and “our encouragement to all those involved in seeking an agreement that respects the rights and duties of all, with particular attention to the demands of humanitarian law.”
Cardinal Bertone gave no date for the trip, but said it would take place the following week, after completion of the “necessary formalities” with the papal nuncio and the “local authorities” in Damascus.
He said the delegation will bring a “personal offering from the synod fathers as well as from the Holy See,” which the Vatican press office later confirmed would take the form of a financial contribution.
Those who will be in the delegation are Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Bishop Fabio Suescun Mutis, military ordinary of Colombia; Bishop Joseph Nguyen Nang of Phat Diem, Vietnam; Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican secretary for relations with states; and Msgr. Alberto Ortega, an official of the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Cardinal Dolan said he was “honored” that the pope had chosen to send him to Syria.
“There can be no question but that the violence in this strife-torn country is causing immense suffering,” Cardinal Dolan said, “and it is the hope of the bishops of the synod that this display of pastoral concern on the part of Pope Benedict might help draw the world’s attention even more closely to this unspeakable tragedy.”
Around 7.5 percent of Syria’s 20 million inhabitants are Christian.
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News category: World.
