ASIA/IRAQ - ON DAY OF STATE FUNERAL OF 19 ITALIAN SOLDIERS BOMB BLAST VICTIMS, CHALDEAN CATHOLIC MONK TELLS FIDES: “WE SYMPATHISE DEEPLY WITH THE FAMILIES AND WITH ALL ITALY AND WE ASK THE ITALIAN MISSION NOT TO ABANDON IRAQ BUT TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE GOOD OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE!”

Tuesday, 18 November 2003

Rome (Fides Service) – Solidarity, prayers and a call on the Italian mission not to leave Iraq but to stay in Nassirya was the message sent to Fides by Iraqi Father Berjou Mansoor on behalf of the Chaldean Monks in Rome on the morning of the state funerals organised by the city of Rome for the 19 Italian soldiers killed in the bomb explosion in Nassiriya, Iraq on Wednesday 12 November .
Father Mansoor told Fides: “We are deeply grieved by what happened. On this day we sympathise with the victims’ families and with all the people of Italy.
The Italians have built good relations with the local people in Nassiriya and they are greatly appreciated. Three days ago there was a demonstration pro Italy against Saddam, terrorists and Al Qaeda.
With all our heart we are close to the families and we say thank you for all that the Italian military are doing, even giving their lives for the cause of peace and the good of the Iraqi people.
We hope the Italian army troops will stay in Iraq: we hope the Italian mission will continue, because they are working for the good of the people, especially the poorest of the poor.
We pray that the Lord will never leave us without his support and the power of his Spirit”.
(PA) (Fides Service 18/11/2003 lines 23 words 220)


Share: