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Papal plea for peace
Message to Basque terrorists
In a direct appeal to Spanish separatists, written in their Basque language, Pope John Paul II has pleaded for an end to terrorism in Spain.
The Pope’s message was addressed to Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, the president of the Spanish bishops’ conference, on the occasion of a nationwide day of prayer for an end to terrorism. That day of prayer was observed on January 13; the papal message was made public by the Vatican on January 17.
On the same day that the Spanish Church was praying for peace, Pope John Paul was addressing the Vatican diplomatic corps. His remarks included a condemnation of “the terrorist attacks that sow the seeds of death in Spain and disfigure that country, humiliating all of Europe.” The papal letter called upon all Spaniards to redouble their prayers for peace, and condemned the terrorist violence which caused 23 deaths in Spain during the past year. He urged Basque separatists to “reject violence, be friends of peace, pray for peace, build the peace.”