Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio per le vittime del sisma che in questi giorni ha nuovamente colpito la città di Christchurch in Nuova Zelanda, inviato dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI, tramite il Cardinale Segretario di Stato Tarcisio Bertone, al Vescovo S.E. Mons. Barry Philip Jones:

THE RIGHT REVEREND BARRY JONES
BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH

THE HOLY FATHER WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE SUDDEN DEVASTATION AND LOSS OF LIFE IN THE CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH DUE TO THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE. HE WISHES TO EXPRESS HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED, AND SENDS HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES. COMMENDING THE DECEASED TO THE MERCIFUL LOVE OF GOD, HIS HOLINESS ASSURES THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY AND THE NATION OF HIS PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE WORKING URGENTLY TO RESCUE AND ASSIST THE TRAPPED AND THE INJURED, AS WELL AS FOR THOSE LABOURING TO RESTORE ESSENTIAL SERVICES. UPON ALL THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND, THE HOLY FATHER WILLINGLY INVOKES ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF COURAGE AND STRENGTH.

CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE
SECRETARY OF STATE

[00280-02.01] [Original text: English]

[B0113-XX.01]