PAPAL MESSAGE FOR PEOPLE OF OMAGH
Papal message for people of Omagh
HIS HOLINESS, Pope John Paul II, has sent a message to the people of Omagh in which he expresses his ardent hope that the evil of the bombers, who killed the defenceless and innocent, will not prevail.
The Holy Father relayed his message of support to the local community in a letter to the Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, on Wednesday last.
In the letter the Pope said he is confident that the desire for peace will blossom in courageous and all embracing initiatives of harmony, reconciliation and solidarity among all sections of the community.
The letter from the Vatican was sent to the Archbishop Sean Brady just days before Saturday's Service in Omagh, at which the Pope said he would be spiritually close to all those who gathered.
The letter reads "I have shared the shock and dismay of all people of goodwill at the terrible violence committed against the population of Omagh, and of Northern Ireland in general by last Saturday's bombing.
"I will be spiritually close to you and Bishop Hegarty and the leaders and brothers and sisters of the other Christian communities as you gather for this Saturday's Memorial Service to commend the victims to Almighty God's love and to invoke his strength and comfort upon the injured, the families in mourning and all affected by this abominable crime.
"It is my ardent hope and prayer that the evil which has taken hold of the minds and hearts of those who planned and carried out this horrible attack on innocent and defenceless people, even children, will not prevail.
"I am confident that the desire for peace so clearly manifested by the people of Northern Ireland will go on to blossom in courageous and all-embracing initiatives of harmony, reconciliation and solidarity among all sectors of the community.
"I make my open prayer for all those with responsibility for peace in Northern Ireland that they may persevere with God's help in the task and duty that history has laid on them in the construction of an ever more just, humane and peaceful society.
"May God fill you with all joy and peace so that you may abound in hope," the letter ended.
HIS HOLINESS, Pope John Paul II, has sent a message to the people of Omagh in which he expresses his ardent hope that the evil of the bombers, who killed the defenceless and innocent, will not prevail.
The Holy Father relayed his message of support to the local community in a letter to the Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, on Wednesday last.
In the letter the Pope said he is confident that the desire for peace will blossom in courageous and all embracing initiatives of harmony, reconciliation and solidarity among all sections of the community.
The letter from the Vatican was sent to the Archbishop Sean Brady just days before Saturday's Service in Omagh, at which the Pope said he would be spiritually close to all those who gathered.
The letter reads "I have shared the shock and dismay of all people of goodwill at the terrible violence committed against the population of Omagh, and of Northern Ireland in general by last Saturday's bombing.
"I will be spiritually close to you and Bishop Hegarty and the leaders and brothers and sisters of the other Christian communities as you gather for this Saturday's Memorial Service to commend the victims to Almighty God's love and to invoke his strength and comfort upon the injured, the families in mourning and all affected by this abominable crime.
"It is my ardent hope and prayer that the evil which has taken hold of the minds and hearts of those who planned and carried out this horrible attack on innocent and defenceless people, even children, will not prevail.
"I am confident that the desire for peace so clearly manifested by the people of Northern Ireland will go on to blossom in courageous and all-embracing initiatives of harmony, reconciliation and solidarity among all sectors of the community.
"I make my open prayer for all those with responsibility for peace in Northern Ireland that they may persevere with God's help in the task and duty that history has laid on them in the construction of an ever more just, humane and peaceful society.
"May God fill you with all joy and peace so that you may abound in hope," the letter ended.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0226
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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