While peacekeepers are currently moving into Solomon Islands to prevent further tragedy, an even worse tragedy is unfolding on the African continent - Salesian Fr. Harry O'Brien spoke this morning with the Rome-based International Missionary News Agency MISNA
MONROVIA, APPEAL BY VICAR GENERAL: "SEND PEACE CONTINGENT IMMEDIATELY!"
MONROVIA: 25th July (MISNA) --"The peacekeeping force must arrive immediately, otherwise there will be a catastrophe. People need to realise that it is the poor and defenceless who are suffering in Liberia." This is the desolate appeal made to MISNA by Father Harry O'Brien, a Salesian, Vicar General of the diocese of Monrovia.
Speaking on a cellular phone charged with the little electricity available in the besieged capital, the highest ecclesiastical representative of the Catholic Church in Liberia at the moment (Archbishop Michael Francis is currently in Great Britain) urges the international community to intervene: "The peacekeeping contingent was meant to arrive in June, following the truce between the government forces and the rebels, but there has been no sign of it." He continues: "Yesterday, the west African countries said they would send troops to Liberia within a week: it's too late! They need to understand that here in Monrovia thousands of people are wandering about the city aimlessly in search of drinking water, food and shelter from the bombs. Their survival is a matter of days. Only once fighting has finished will it be possible to help these poor people, who are the real victims of this tragedy." Father O'Brien says he was forced to abandon the cathedral in the city centre, not far from Mamba Point, in which quarter the US embassy is also situated, because of bombardments by the rebels of LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy), who have laid siege to Monrovia for six days in an attempt to overthrow President Charles Taylor.
MONROVIA: 25th July (MISNA) --"The peacekeeping force must arrive immediately, otherwise there will be a catastrophe. People need to realise that it is the poor and defenceless who are suffering in Liberia." This is the desolate appeal made to MISNA by Father Harry O'Brien, a Salesian, Vicar General of the diocese of Monrovia.
Speaking on a cellular phone charged with the little electricity available in the besieged capital, the highest ecclesiastical representative of the Catholic Church in Liberia at the moment (Archbishop Michael Francis is currently in Great Britain) urges the international community to intervene: "The peacekeeping contingent was meant to arrive in June, following the truce between the government forces and the rebels, but there has been no sign of it." He continues: "Yesterday, the west African countries said they would send troops to Liberia within a week: it's too late! They need to understand that here in Monrovia thousands of people are wandering about the city aimlessly in search of drinking water, food and shelter from the bombs. Their survival is a matter of days. Only once fighting has finished will it be possible to help these poor people, who are the real victims of this tragedy." Father O'Brien says he was forced to abandon the cathedral in the city centre, not far from Mamba Point, in which quarter the US embassy is also situated, because of bombardments by the rebels of LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy), who have laid siege to Monrovia for six days in an attempt to overthrow President Charles Taylor.
