In his opening address at the Italian episcopate meeting in Collevalenza, until Nov. 21, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, described the «very tense and dangerous state of relations» with the Baghdad government.
«Following the resolution of the United Nations’ Security Council and its acceptance by the Iraqis,» he said, «the inspections to guarantee the disarmament of that country are about to begin. But it will require on the part of all an attitude of good will and a great and sincere effort to avoid the situation escalating, with very grave consequences and, in all probability, not limited to the Iraqi territory.»
Listing other «great reasons for concern at the international level,» Cardinal Ruini said the «two terrible attacks» in Bali and Moscow show that «terrorism has in no way been defeated.»
The cardinal also mentioned attacks perpetrated against Christians, such as the Sept. 25 massacre at a nongovernmental organization in Pakistan, as well as the kidnapping in Colombia of Bishop Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal and of Father Desiderio Orjuela. The Colombian army rescued the pair last week.
