VATICAN CITY, MARCH 11, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is expressing his hope that the slaying of three people in Northern Ireland will not hamper the peace process under way there.
Today at the end of the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope referred to the slaying of two soldiers Saturday and a police officer Monday. Splinter groups of the Irish Republican Army have claimed responsibility.
«It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the murders of two young British soldiers and a policeman in Northern Ireland,» he said. «As I assure the families of the victims and the injured of my spiritual closeness, I condemn in the strongest terms these abominable acts of terrorism which, apart from desecrating human life, seriously endanger the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland and risk destroying the great hopes generated by this process in the region and throughout the world.»
The Holy Father said he is asking the Lord that «no one will again give in to the horrendous temptation of violence and that all will increase their efforts to continue building — through the patient effort of dialogue — a peaceful, just and reconciled society.»
