EUROPE/FRANCE - Catholic Bishops voice the closeness of the entire Church in France to the journalists taken hostage in Iraq, to their families and to all journalists: “we share their anxiety and their hope”. A call to French Catholics to unite in prayer.

Paris (Fides Service) - Solidarity with the French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot taken hostage in Iraq has been voiced by the Catholic Bishops of France in two different statements. The President of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard of Bordeaux, expressed “on behalf of the Bishops of France, profound closeness of the Catholic Church to the hostages, their families, their relations and to all journalists: we share their anxiety and their hope”.
The President of the French Bishops voices full solidarity with all who “because of their responsibilities of government, diplomatic, professional, humanitarian or because of their faith express dismay and condemnation for this intolerable blackmail and join efforts to obtain the swift release of the journalists”. Archbishop Ricard calls on Catholics to pray the prayer recited with Pope John Paul on 15 August in Lourdes: “for peace, that men and women of courage may make it become a reality”.
A second statement was signed by three Cardinals, Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyons; Jean-Marie Lustiger, Archbishop of Paris; Bernard Panafieu, Archbishop of Marseilles, who write“the threat against Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot is a deep blow to our nation deeply and an attack on our civilisation. In communion with their families, relations and all journalists, we pray to the Lord that the life of the French hostages may be safe and that they may regain their freedom as quickly as possible”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2004; Righe 19 - Parole 267)