International response to terrorism must include education, pope says

Published: 2004-01-12

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II warned that international terrorism has taken on new and more virulent forms, but he said the response must go beyond punitive or repressive measures. What is needed is a wide program of education and political mobilization that removes causes of desperation and fosters respect for human life, the pope said Jan. 10. The pope made the remarks at a ceremony to welcome the new ambassador of Indonesia to the Holy See, Bambang Prayitno. Indonesia has suffered several terrorist attacks in recent months that have killed more than 200 people, many of them foreigners. A few hours after the pope spoke, a blast at an Indonesian karaoke club killed four people. The pope described international terrorism as a "baneful scourge" that has generated brutal massacres, aggravated tensions and eroded possibilities for peace. But he said that despite the contempt for human life shown by terrorists "our response must never be one of hatred or revenge."

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