Pope calls for stiffer resolve in Darfur

Nov 28, 2005 (VATICAN CITY) — Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called for stiffer international resolve in Darfur, and said the Holy See would do anything possible to “end the cycle of violence and misery” in the troubled Sudanese region.

In remarks to the Khartoum archbishop, Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, the pope also said there is an unprecedented opportunity for reconciliation in Sudan.

“The horror of events unfolding in Darfur … points to the need for a stronger international resolve to ensure security and basic human rights,” said Benedict.

“Today, I add my voice to the cry of the suffering,” he said, vowing that the Holy See “will continue to do everything possible to end the cycle of violence and misery.”

Violence in Darfur caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises of recent years. About 180,000 people have been killed, many from hunger and disease, and several million misplaced.

During the talks at the Vatican, the pontiff also expressed some hope for reconciliation in Sudan.

“The cessation of the civil war and the enactment of a new Constitution have brought hope to the long suffering people of Sudan,” he said.

Despite setbacks on the road to reconciliation, such as the death of southern leader John Garang in a helicopter crash in July, “there now exists an unprecedented opportunity and indeed duty for the Church to contribute significantly to the process of forgiveness and national reconstruction,” said Benedict.

A January north-south peace agreement provided for a unity government of northerners, most of whom are Muslim and of Arab descent, and southerners, most of whom are Christian or animist and of African descent.

The agreement also provided for an autonomous south with its own army, government and a new constitution during a six-year interim period. After that period, the 10 southern states will hold a referendum on independence.

“Though a minority, Catholics have much to offer through inter-religious dialogue as well as the provision of greatly needed social services,” the pope said.

(AP/ST)

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The following is the text of the speech of the Pope before the Sudanese delegation

– Your Eminence
– Brother Bishops,
– Distinguished Visitors,

It gives me great satisfaction to welcome you to the Vatican and through you to send heartfelt greetings to the people of your country. I very much appreciate the sentiments which have prompted your visit, and I wish to reassure you of my prayers and deep concern for the peaceful development of civil and ecclesial life in your nation.

The cessation of the civil war and the enactment of a new Constitution have brought hope to the long suffering people of Sudan. While there have been setbacks along the path of reconciliation, not least the tragic death of John Garang, there now exists an unprecedented opportunity and indeed duty for the Church to contribute significantly to the process of forgiveness and national reconstruction. Though a minority, Catholics have much to offer through inter-religious dialogue as well as the provision of greatly needed social services. I encourage you therefore to take the necessary initiatives to realize Christ’s healing presence in these ways.

The horror of events unfolding in Darfur, to which my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II referred on many occasions, points to the need for a stronger international resolve to ensure security and basic human rights. Today, I add my voice to the cry of the suffering and assure you that the Holy See, together with the Apostolic Nuncio in Khartoum, will continue to do everything possible to end the cycle of violence and misery.

Dear friends, upon you and your people I invoke God’s blessings of wisdom, fortitude and peace!