20-March-2003 -- Vatican Information Service

HOLY SEE STATEMENT ON HOSTILITIES IN IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - The following declaration was made today by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office:

"The Holy See has learned with deep pain of the development of the latest events in Iraq. On the one hand, it is to be regretted that the Iraqi government did not accept the resolutions of the United Nations and the appeal of the Pope himself, as both asked that the country disarm. On the other hand, it is to be deplored that the path of negotiations, according to international law, for a peaceful solution of the Iraqi drama has been interrupted.

"Given these circumstances, it was learned with satisfaction that the various Catholic institutions in Iraq continue to perform their activities of assisting those populations. To contribute to this work of solidarity even the Apostolic Nunciature, headed by Archbishop Fernando Filoni, will remain open in this period in its office in Baghdad."

Shlomo Lkhoolkhoon,
This was in today's paper.

Poosh BaShlomo Lkhoolkhoon,
Yuhannon

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Bishops condemn war, call for aid to Iraqi refugees

Hanna Khoury
Lebanon Daily Star correspondent

Lebanon’s Maronite bishops on Wednesday called for aid to Iraq’s refugees in Lebanon and condemned the US-led war against Iraq.
Following their monthly meeting, headed by Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, the bishops issued a statement in which they stated their position on the US-led war on Iraq, and paid their respects to Pope John Paul II and to his stand on the war.

“He has not stopped cautioning about the war’s repercussions, and the war has nothing to do with religion,” the statement said.
“The war has reminded the Lebanese of their own civil war and its tragedies, which lasted for over 17 years. Some of us are still suffering from its after-effects,” the bishops said, adding that the war was rejected by a significant number of people before it was rejected by the UN.

“Had some of the money that was spent on buying destructive weapons and financing savage fights, been spent on improving living conditions in some countries, this war would not have been necessary.”

The bishops also called for understanding and unity among the Lebanese, regardless of their religious faiths and sects, “in order to face up to the dangers that are lurking around the corner.”