Tutu shocked by Syrian violence

Cape Town 120216- Archbishop Desmond Tutu signed Franschoek Valley Transformation Charter launched at the historic Dutch reformed church in Franschoek. It is going to assist the needs of the poor.Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Nontando/Argus

Cape Town 120216- Archbishop Desmond Tutu signed Franschoek Valley Transformation Charter launched at the historic Dutch reformed church in Franschoek. It is going to assist the needs of the poor.Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Nontando/Argus

Published Jun 14, 2013

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Johannesburg - There was no justification for the abduction of two Syrian church leaders, South Africa’s Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said on Thursday evening.

“There is no justice, there can be no justification - in any circumstances - for such inhumanity,” he said in a statement.

“We are members of one family, the human family, God's family. We are made for love.”

Tutu said archbishops Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazaji were abducted on April 22 and their driver, a deacon, was killed.

“The violence and terror that have consumed Syria over the past two years have exacted a terrible toll. A disproportionately high number of innocent lives have been lost, including many women and children.”

He said to focus on any single event or to single out individuals would be to do the broad peace-loving and long-suffering population a disservice.

Tutu made the special appeal to those responsible for the abduction of the two church leaders.

“You have abducted two servants of God, two men of peace. You have not identified yourselves, you have not tried to justify your actions, and we do not know whether the two men are alive,” he said. - Sapa

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