VATICAN (dpa) – Pope John Paul II has marked the one month anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on the United States with prayer.
Osama bin Laden is the prime suspect in recent attacks in the United States and he is believed to be in Afghanistan where he has long been given shelter by the ruling Taleban who control most of the country.
Speaking in Rome to a gathering (synod) of bishops and cardinals from around the world, the pope prayed for the elimination of hatred and asked for consolation for the families of the victims. He also prayed for strength for those still working at the disaster sites.
During the service, Anglican Bishop Peter Forster, of Chester in northern England, criticized Western culture for its wealth and complacency, saying it had, in his words, “lost touch” with those in poverty. He said God was also “somehow present to the terrorists” accused in the attacks. Bishop Forster added that their “hearts have turned to evil in great poverty of spirit”. Bishop Forster is an observer at the meeting.
The service included prayers in various languages, among them Arabic.
