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Skriven 2007-05-05 10:20:56 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                               VIS-Press releases

FR. LOMBARDI COMMENTS ON THE MAY DAY CONCERT INCIDENT

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2007 (VIS) - In a declaration released yesterday afternoon
on TG1 (the television news of RAI, the Italian State broadcaster), Holy See
Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. affirmed that "the irreverent
comments directed at the Pope and the Church during the May Day concert were
clearly an act of irresponsibility. It is right to say so, and the trade union
representatives were right to disassociate themselves" from those comments.

Fr. Lombardi was referring to remarks made by one of the presenters of the
concert, which is traditionally held on May 1 every year in the center of Rome.
The presenter, Diego Rivera, said, among other things, that "the Pope does not
believe in evolutionism," because "the Church has never evolved."

Yesterday's edition of the Vatican daily newspaper, the "Osservatore Romano,"
described the comments by saying "it is a contemptible and terroristic act to
throw stones, this time even against the Pope, while feeling protected by cries
of approval from an easily excitable crowd."

Speaking on TG1, the Holy See Press Office Director made it clear that, as both
Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic, and Cardinal Secretary
of State Tarciso Bertone S.D.B. had pointed out, "it would be as well for all
of us to seek to diffuse tensions and to re-create conditions for serene
dialogue in our society. In this way, it is right that what was an evident act
of foolishness should not become a tragedy and an opportunity to re-ignite huge
conflicts."
.../MAY DAY CONCERT/LOMBARDIVIS 070503 (270)

SUMMARY

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