Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tripoli (Agenzia Fides) - “The situation is somewhat calm because in the morning because there are no particular movements. Clashes usually occur at night when you hear the echoes of gunfire from a distance,” Archbishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli in Libya tells Fides. “We are a little distant because we are near the centre of Tripoli, where the situation is calm and where we do not hear much of what happens on the outskirts. But all together it seems that today the situation is calmer, at least around our church there are no particular signs of turbulence. We heard that the media have reported air strikes, but this is outside Tripoli, at least it is not in the centre of the capital. In the suburbs it seems that certain groups want to penetrate the city, and this is where the clashes are taking place.”
Regarding aerial movements above the city, Archbishop Martinelli notes: “Yesterday there were aircraft movements, but I repeat, I can not hear anything from here. I heard the gunshots in the distance, but more than that I can not say. I was told that there has been aerial movements and shootings in the outskirts, but I can not say what happened.”
From the societal point of view Archbishop Martinelli said that “Foreign nationals are evacuating Tripoli, starting with families of European workers. Basically there are no European women or children. The Catholic community is made up of foreigners, Europeans and Asians. Most of the Europeans have already left. The Filipinos are still here, particularly Filipino nurses, and African immigrants, who are the ones who need the most assistance.”
With regards the evolution of the crisis, Archbishop Martinelli says: “After the address last night (22 February), it seems to me that Gaddafi has no intention of surrendering and that he feels quite powerful. He called for unity and peace and criticised those who have been carried along by the 'fundamentalist turbulence'. I am convinced that there are many people who want peace above all, and political divisions. The people want peace, because prior to the violence on the whole it was peaceful. This situation exploded from one moment to the other and surprised us because the atmosphere was generally calm, apart from some restless groups in eastern Libya. Perhaps there, there is already an unstable situation. In Tripoli, the situation which seems more serious, is under control.”
“As for the Church,” continued the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, “we have not had any trouble. We even had some signs of solidarity on the part of the Libyans, in the form of assistance to both the sisters and to Christians, such as the Filipino nurses who are serving at local hospitals.”
Finally, concerning the situation in which the sisters live who work in Cyrenaica, Archbishop Martinelli said: “They told me they do not wish to be contacted, for obvious reasons, but also because they are taken from work. They are tired of what is going on. Their only moment to stop is late at night, when they finish work. However, we are in constant contact with them. Their superiors are worried about the situation. We have given instructions that if a sister is tired physically and mentally, she may safely leave the Country for a period of rest. It is likely that a group of sisters who care for immigrants will leave Tripoli because at the moment there is not much work, since, in this situation it is precarious to work.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2011)
