Vatican condemns terrorism after blasts shake Istanbul

Published: 2003-11-20

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican condemned the "barbaric logic" of terrorism as the death toll mounted in Turkey following a series of bombings. The blasts Nov. 20 struck the British consulate and the HSBC bank headquarters in Istanbul. At least 26 people were killed and more than 400 people were wounded in the attacks, which were believed carried out by suicide car bombers. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls read a statement to reporters deploring the latest acts of terrorism. "The barbaric logic of terrorism only causes the death of innocent people and destruction. In addition, it aggravates the problems it intends to resolve," he said. The papal spokesman quoted Pope John Paul II as saying terrorism is based on disregard for human dignity and is a "crime against humanity," especially when carried out as a political strategy.

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