Archbishop condemns attack in Jerusalem

Rome, Italy, Mar 25, 2011 / 12:00 pm

The apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus responded to a March 23 terrorist attack in Jerusalem that left one dead and 40 injured.

Archbishop Antonio Franco remarked that the violence “does nothing but complicate the situation, as this is never the solution.”

The archbishop spoke with SIR news agency on March 23. “When a state of tension exists, there is always someone ready to make the situation worse by carrying acts like these that cause pain, trauma and suffering.” He added that this violence is “completely useless for resolving problems.”

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal, also responded to the attacks, condemning every form of “violence and terrorism.”

“We are against every kind of violence perpetrated by persons, groups and movements of any kind. We will do everything possible to help Jerusalem recover its vocation as a holy city of prayer, peace and pilgrimage,” he said.

“I think that a just and definitive peace is the only means of salvation for all, for the good of the region and its peoples,” he added.

Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land, added that the attack was “an isolated act that is not part of a wider strategy.” He encouraged dialogue and called the region to “move forward without being stopped by the extremism that lacks perspective.”