In new statement, Vatican spokesman strongly condemns killing of US ambassador
September 13, 2012
The director of the Holy See Press Office has issued a new statement firmly condemning the violent attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
In an earlier statement, Father Federico Lombardi had denounced the provocation of Muslims, virtually ignoring the deaths of four American diplomats. His follow-up statement remedied that omission.
"The very serious attack organised against the United States diplomatic mission in Libya, which led to the death of the ambassador and of other functionaries, calls for the firmest possible condemnation on the part of the Holy See," said Father Lombardi. "Nothing, in fact, can justify the activity of terrorist organisations and homicidal violence."
"Along with our sadness, mourning and prayers for the victims, we again express the hope that, despite this latest tragedy, the international community may discover the most favorable ways to continue its commitment in favor of peace in Libya and the entire Middle East," he added.
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Further information:
- Vatican: Firm condemnation of US consulate attack in Libya (Vatican Radio)
- Vatican spokesman, responding to Libyan violence, decries provocations against Islam (CWN, 9/12)
- An outrageous Vatican reaction to the deaths in Benghazi (City Gates, 9/12)
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Posted by: koinonia -
Sep. 15, 2012 3:39 PM ET USA
Harsh comments. We must remember we can always hope. However, the "international community" in general is not the problem, and they will most assuredly not provide the definitive solution. The Middle East is not a place that responds well to "Can't we all just get along?" Again there is a rather extensive history involved here. Prayer and resolve animated with a clear and factual understanding of the threat to civilization is a good place to start. Hope is possible if reality is embraced.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 15, 2012 1:06 PM ET USA
Father Lombardi should be retired. Very poor judgment, colored probably by the usual European envy-tinged dislike of America.
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Posted by: aclune9083 -
Sep. 13, 2012 11:04 PM ET USA
In this country, we have an expression: "A day late and a dollar short." Fr. Lombardi should be replaced by someone who has at least some idea of what's really going on the Arab world; at least, someone above his pay grade ought to provide adult oversight over his press releases.
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Posted by: shrink -
Sep. 13, 2012 10:42 PM ET USA
Mr. Plick, isn't it obvious? The Vatican takes its lede from the New York Times.
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Sep. 13, 2012 9:48 PM ET USA
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 13, 2012 8:12 PM ET USA
No this does not remedy anything. The dreadful and unforgiveable comment yesterday cries out for a new spokesperson- and cries out for a plea of forgiveness for such wrong, wrong, wrong understanding. Please dear Lord and dear Bendedict, repair this appointment that can only drive potential souls away.
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Posted by: visions -
Sep. 13, 2012 4:00 PM ET USA
Where's the new spokesperson who was hired from FOX?
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Sep. 13, 2012 2:40 PM ET USA
The Holy Father really ought to consider replacing Fr. Lombardi in the position of spokesman. Though I am happy to forgive him his indiscretion, this is too sensitive a position to have a person who does not give basic thought to a situation, and then infuriates even faithful Catholics over a superficial and basically anti-American statement.
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Posted by: John J Plick -
Sep. 13, 2012 2:17 PM ET USA
So what are we supposed to make of this parallel ambiguity, both by the Vatican and the Obama administration?
