British Government Voices Support to Holy See After Attack on Damascus Nunciature

Foreign Office Minister Praises Work of Nunciature, Defends Syria’s Christians

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The British government has sent a message of support to the Holy See after the apostolic nunciature in Damascus came under attack on Tuesday.

Sending the message through diplomatic channels, Britain’s Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, Hugh Robertson, said he had greeted news of the mortar attack on the nunciature “with great concern” but that he was “pleased to hear that there were no casualties.”

He said the nunciature “is carrying out important work, providing a voice for those under attack, on both sides of the conflict, and working towards peace.”

Mr. Robertson recalled the prayer vigil for Syria on Sept. 7 led by Pope Francis which he said “was a strong signal of the desire for peace and reconciliation in the region.”

“The Christian community is an integral element of Syrian society, and it is important that they are fully involved in any talks on the future of Syria,” the minister said, and he passed on his best regards to the nuncio, Archbishop Mario Zenari.

A single mortar was fired at the third floor of nunciature building Nov. 5th, but there were no injuries reported.

Mr. Robertson’s message, dated Nov. 7, was delivered by the British Ambassador to the Holy See, Nigel Baker, to the Holy See’s Deputy Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri. 

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