Holy See spokesman condemns attack against Bolivian cardinal’s residence

Vatican City, Apr 17, 2009 / 20:29 pm

The Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, has condemned the attack on the home of the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Bolivia, Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, and said it was a “grave act” that reveals “unacceptable violence.”

“This episode manifests an attitude that is prone to violence that harms respect for freedom and therefore, we unite ourselves with the bishops of Bolivia in the most firm condemnation,” the priest said.

Speaking to the Notimex news agency, Father Lombardi said the attack was a grave act. “Of course we manifest all of our solidarity with Cardinal Terrazas for this act of unacceptable violence,” he stated.

On Wednesday morning a bomb exploded at the entrance to the cardinal’s residence in Santa Cruz, damaging the premises and neighboring buildings. The cardinal was recovering from surgery at the time at another location.