Holy See Calls for More Aid for Terrorist Victims at UN

"In the end, terrorist activity does nothing to promote authentic political or social aims but only ensures the creation of more victims."

NEW YORK (Zenit) - Though debates about the nature of terrorism are necessary, they should not blur the urgency of addressing the needs of terrorist victims, the Holy See says.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, affirmed this today at the Secretary-General's Symposium on "Supporting Victims of Terrorism," which is taking place 7 years after the attacks of 9/11.

"My delegation welcomes this meeting as an opportunity to express our solidarity with the victims of terrorism and to discuss ways to best address their physical, mental and spiritual needs," he said. "Terrorist acts deny people not only their fundamental human rights but also strike at the very heart of the things we hold close: our families, our homes and our basic trust in humanity."

Archbishop Migliore recalled the Church's concern for terrorist victims as expressed by the day of fasting and solidarity called by Pope John Paul II after the 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in the United States.

"This event, coinciding with the last day of Ramadan, provided an opportunity for intercultural and interfaith condemnation of terrorism while simultaneously remembering and honoring those whose lives were lost," the prelate said. "This is only one example of the many ways in which the Holy See and other related organizations provide immediate assistance to victims of terrorist activities and those who live in conflict-affected regions, the initial causes of which are linked to or perpetuated by terrorist activity."

Nevertheless, Archbishop Migliore affirmed, "greater efforts must be made to address the long-term spiritual and psychological effects of terrorism." He added: "Debates over who are victims and who are perpetrators of terrorist activities are needed for the sake of a good anti-terrorism strategy, but they should not cloud or obfuscate the urgency to address the immediate needs of those whose lives and livelihoods are lost by this direct affront to humanity. [...]

"In the end, terrorist activity does nothing to promote authentic political or social aims but only ensures the creation of more victims. Whether these victims are created as a result of initial terrorist activity or as a result of indiscriminate reactions to terrorist actions, the cycle of violence begets only suffering, fear and hatred."