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Pope calls for an end to Iraq sanctions, says Catholics
will share in suffering of Iraqis on day of fast
VATICAN CITY, Dec 11, 2001 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Pope John Paul
II called Tuesday for an end to the embargo on Iraq and said the Church
would share in the "unjustly inflicted" suffering of Iraqis on Friday, a
day of fasting for Catholics.
"I implore the Lord to enlighten the understanding and hearts of those
nations responsible (for the embargo), so that they may open in favor of
re-establishing a just and lasting peace in this region," John Paul told
prelates of the Chaldean Catholic Church visiting from Iraq, Iran,
Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and the United States.
The pope has frequently called for the lifting of crippling economic
sanctions which were imposed against Iraq by the United Nations after
Baghdad invaded Kuwait in 1990.
U.N. resolutions say the sanctions can't be lifted until the U.N.
Security Council is convinced Iraq has rid itself of its weapons of mass
destruction. While many countries have pressed to lift the sanctions,
the United States has refused, seeing the embargo as key to preventing
the Iraqi government from threatening its neighbors.
The pope didn't mention the United States by name in his comments.
John Paul has invited Catholics around the world to make Friday a day of
fasting and to pray for peace and justice in the world in the aftermath
of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has noted the day falls in the
holy month of Ramadan, the monthlong holiday of fasting and purification
for Muslims.
On Monday, he said the fast would also enable the Catholic faithful to
know what it's like to suffer and be closer to those who are deprived of
food.
"On that day, we will ask God to help your people and open the hearts of
men to the sufferings unjustly inflicted on so many of their brothers,"
the pontiff said.
Copyright 2001 Associated Press, All rights reserved
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