French bishops urge mobilisation for Darfur
March 29, 2007 (ROME) — French Bishops said concerned by the humanitarian situation in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region. They urged to question officials and candidates for the presidency on their efforts to end Darfur crisis.
“Our christian commitment for peace and justice calls us firmly to question our leaders as well as the candidates to the presidential election on the action already undertaken and still to be implemented, at diplomatic and humanitarian level”, states Cardinal Ricard, in an appeal from French Bishops for Darfour published by Zenit.org.
Cardinal Jean Pierre Ricard, Archbishop of Bordeaux and President of the Episcopal Conference of France, speaking in the name of the Plenary Assembly of Bishops who is deeply concerned with the present humanitarian disaster and the emergency situation in Darfour, published the following statement:
URGENCY IN DARFOUR
Darfour cannot remain a simple list of figures : 250 000 dead, 500 000 people that depend on a presently impeded humanitarian aid, 3 millions of displaced persons at the boundaries of Tchad and Central African Republic, notwithstanding the numerous victims of acts of violence and rapes ! Millions of men and women are scorned, mutilated, killed amidst general indifference. Some media try to awaken the conscience of the international community without getting any efficient reaction.
This humanitarian disaster predicted since a long time, denounced by the NGO’s and the UNO agencies, becomes more and more real. Europe and France cannot remain without any reaction in front of such unbearable sufferings. This serious crisis cannot leave us silent and passive : Where mankind suffers, Christ suffers.
Peace agreements have been signed in 2006. They are still not implemented and, day after day, the number of victims increases. Action can be undertaken near French authorities as well as in supporting humanitarian organisations or helping volunteers involved in this emergency action. And let us not forget that after this crisis, rebuilding will be necessary.
Our Christian commitment for peace and justice calls us firmly to question our leaders as well as the candidates to the presidential election on the action already undertaken and still to be implemented, at diplomatic and humanitarian level. The way we practice charity is at stake as well as our answer to the ever present question:”What did you do with your brother?”
In the name of the French Bishops
– Cardinal Jean Pierre Ricard
– Archbishop of Bordeaux
– President of the French Episcopal Conference
(Zenit/ST)