Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, denounced the suffering inflicted on the innocent people of Syria in a statement released today. Echoing the words of the Holy Father, Cardinal Brady said that “this violence offers no hope for the future.”
“Its consequences are evident in the deserted streets lined with empty shells of buildings which should be full of human life,” he said. “The overwhelming suffering inflicted on families and communities in Syria cannot be allowed to continue. This is not only a tragedy for Syria, but for the whole world.”
The Cardinal’s statement comes at a very tense time where the United States and France are currently looking at carrying out military strikes against Bashar al-Assad’s government in retaliation for their alleged use of chemical weapons on civilians. While the Holy See has agreed that justice should be made for such atrocities, military attacks would only serve to increase the suffering and devastation suffered by the Syrian people.
“The international community has a vital role to play in protecting innocent civilians from violent attacks, particularly those which involve the use of chemical weapons deemed wholly unethical and unacceptable,” Cardinal Brady stressed.
Joining Pope Francis in his call for an Interntional Day of Prayer and Fasting for Syria, Cardinal Brady invited Catholics in Ireland to remember “the suffering Syrian children and their families during Masses this weekend.”
“I ask that we all fast and pray for a speedy end to this appalling conflict and that humanitarian aid may reach those in need as soon as possible,” he concluded.
— — —
For the full text of the Cardinal’s Statement, go to: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-sean-brady-s-statement-on-syria
