Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tripoli (Agenzia Fides) - “We will see today what the character is of our community who will gather to celebrate Mass on the first Sunday of Lent,” said Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, Libya, to Fides. He just arrived in Tripoli in time to celebrate the Sunday Mass which is being brought forward to Friday. “The people are afraid to venture out onto the streets. Then there are people who live far away, and it is not always easy to get to the church. But I have confidence that people will come, that they will take courage, because the act of praying together gives strength,” said Bishop Martinelli.
The Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli so describes the Catholic community in the Libyan capital, which has declined in number following the departure of many faithful foreigners, especially Europeans: “the faithful still here are Africans and Filipinos, most of whom are nurses. In Tripoli, there are about 2,000 Filipino nurses. Across Libya there are probably about 5,000. Then there are the English teachers, some of whom have left and others who have remained because schools are open, at least in some areas of Tripoli. We try to encourage them to live this difficult time in the light of faith.”
After the departure for Italy of 53 Eritrean refugees, there are still thousands of Africans who find themselves in a precarious position, because there are no international institutions that can give them documents to leave the country. “We are not the UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees). What we can do for these people is to register them in order to eventually facilitate recognition of these situations. We are currently finishing up registering the Eritreans. We have so far registered 2,500. There are also other groups, like Ethiopians and other people who are living in need. We try to help those first who have the most serious and urgent needs, especially families with children,” said Bishop Martinelli.
Regarding the situation of the city, Bishop Martinelli said: “In Tripoli, we are living in absolute silence. It is almost absurd. People are locked inside their houses. Today, the shops are closed out of respect for Muslim Friday prayer. Yesterday, some stores meekly reopened. They want to give the impression that life is normal, but the situation is not normal.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2011)
