Abidjan (Fides Service)- “We intend to pray for peace and national reconciliation and for the victims of the violence over the past few weeks” sources of the Bishops’ Conference in Ivory Coast told Fides, with regard to a nation wide day of Prayer for Peace on Sunday 28 November in dioceses across the country.
“During Sunday masses the people will pray to God that our political leaders will adopt a spirit of service for peace. As soon as security conditions permit the Bishops will organise a nation wide Peace Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Peace at Yamoussoukro” the sources told Fides.
“The Catholic Bishops are making every effort to foster sentiments of forgiveness and national reconciliation. At the end of their plenary meeting in June the Bishops composed a special prayer for peace in Ivory Coast which was circulated to all parishes. Throughout the country the prayer is recited at the end of Masses and in special prayer meetings and people are also encouraged to pray for peace individually” the sources told Fides.
Tension in Ivory Coast caused by last week’s clashes has subsided but the political and military impasse continues. Yesterday 26 November, a visiting UN delegation appealed for the government of reconciliation to resume its work as soon as possible in its original composition. Ministers representing the rebels were replaced during the last cabinet meeting.
In the meantime diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis continue. South African President Thabo Mbeki, African Union mediator in the Ivorian crisis, will go to Abidjan next week to meet Ivory Coast’s President Laurent Gbagbo and representatives of the Ivorian rebels, and the situation in Ivory Coast was the subject of talks between French President Jacques Chirac and the President of Nigeria Olusegun Obansajo. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2004 righe 29 parole 336)