Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Conakry (Fides Service)- “The Pope’s words brought comfort to the whole Christian community in Guinea” said Fr Come Traoré Communications Officer for Conakry archdiocese in Guinea. In Rome yesterday 18 February, at the Sunday noon Angelus prayer Pope Benedict XVI appealed for “respect for human and civil rights in Guinea, and prayed that the crisis would be overcome with dialogue. “I wish to express my spiritual closeness - Pope Benedict XVI said - to one African country in a particularly difficult situation, Guinea. The Bishops of Guinea tell me they are concerned for the situation of social paralysis, general strikes and violent reaction causing numerous deaths. While calling for respect for human and civil rights, I assure my prayers that the crisis may be overcome with common commitment to undertake the path of dialogue”.
“I received the text of the Pope’s message from the Papal Nuncio Archbishop George Antonysamy” Fr Traoré said. “I translated it and forwarded it to Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly of Conakry who was at a meeting with leaders of other Christian denomination in our country. All those present were deeply grateful and comforted for the Pope’s message and spiritual closeness to the sufferings of the people”.
“We deeply appreciated the Pope’s call for respect for human rights” said Fr. Traoré. “It has encouraged us to continue our efforts to sustain our sorely tried people”.
“In its service of healthcare the local Church is assisting people injured during the recent clashes. We have 36 Catholic medical volunteers in local hospitals and their service is deeply appreciated by the Muslim majority. This afternoon the Archbishop will make a round of the hospitals to visit the injured and encourage our volunteers” said Fr Traore.
The 6pm to midday curfew imposed in the state of siege declared for 12 to 23 February by the president Lansana Conté, today was reduced by 6 hours, and NGOs denounced hundreds of arrests over the last few days. The unions, the organisers of strikes and protests in which at least 113 were killed, have been calling for the state of siege to be revoked. The Unions broke off talks with the government started last week putting the revoking of the state of siege as a condition for resuming negotiations.
Various NGOs denounced arbitrary arrests during the curfew especially of militants and demonstrators who oppose Guinean President Lansana Conté.
Since the curfew was shortened traffic in the capital resumed but offices and shops remain closed because of the general strike. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2007 righe 42 parole 515)
