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Pope Decries Attacks in Nigeria, Central African Republic

During General Audience, Makes Appeal Against Hate, Violence

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‘I hope that every form of hate and violence will cease, and that there will no longer be such shameful crimes perpetrated in places of worship, where faithful gather to pray.’
Pope Francis made this appeal at the conclusion of his General Audience of August 9, 2017, in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, noting he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the massacre that took place last Sunday in Nigeria, where innocent people were killed inside a Church.
The attack took place in the Catholic Church of St. Philip in Ozubulu, Anambra State, in southern Nigeria yesterday, Sunday, August 6, 2017. During morning Mass, at least 12 lives were claimed and many wounded among hundreds present. Sources report the cause was organized crime, tied to drugs.
The Holy Father also decried the homicidal violence this morning in the Central African Republic against Christians.
Calling on all those gathered to think of their ‘brothers and sisters’ in Nigeria and the Central African Republic, Pope Francis invited everyone in the Hall to pray a Hail Mary.
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On Zenit’s Web page:
Full Text: https://zenit.org/articles/pope-sends-condolences-for-attack-on-church-in-nigeria/

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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