Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides)- “This is a political question concerning relations between states” Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, told Fides expressing his opinion with regard to the detention of diocesan vicar Rev Sandro De Pretis, prison since 28 October (see Fides 14/12/2007). Bishop Bertin, in Rome for the five yearly ad limina visit, in an interview with Fides stressed the necessity continue to work to restore peace in Somalia.
Bishop Bertin how do you assess the arrest of Fr Sandro?
The problem is political. It is my impression that this matter is connected with relations between the government of Djibouti and the French government. Fr Sandro found himself caught up in a complex matter. However I think it is not right to keep innocent people in difficult situations because problems exist which can be faced calmly and openly without involving innocent persons.
What consequence did the arrest of the diocesan Vicar have on the diocese of Djibouti ?
The Church in Djibouti is formed of myself, Fr Sandro and another priest. I have asked the Churches in France, Belgium, French speaking Switzerland and the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples to send one or two priests for two or three months for this time of emergency, in the hope that the situation will improve and we can have the continued presence of a priest. In Djibouti we do not need many priests; I always say that three or four are sufficient. I do not expect “temporary” priest to be an expert in inculturation but I would ask it of a priest who comes to work in the country for a longer period of time. This matter gave me the idea of a proposal for a sort of “priest without frontiers” or “missionary without frontiers” because I am under the impression that our situation may be lived by other dioceses in other parts of the world. What we need is a degree of emergency mobility, to have priests ready to spend two or three months to help a Church suddenly in need of a priest. However I realise the matter must be carefully considered.
You are also Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu. Is there still hope that peace will be restored in Somalia?
“In an article I wrote recently for the weekly publication of the diocese of Troyes, with which we are on very good terms, I asked myself these questions: should we continue to work for peace in Somalia? There have been 14 unsuccessful international peace conferences for Somalia, at this point should we abandon Somalia? My reply is no, indeed we must increase our efforts to restore peace, see what went wrong in those 14 conferences and maintain hope for the return of peace. Peace is possible, because if we abandon this hope we accept the reign of death. We must all role up our sleeves and try once again to restore peace to Somalia. I received thanks from a group of Somali opposition members living in Asmara, Eritrea, who wrote: “we noted that in the past month Pope Benedict XVI mentioned Somalia three times, since you are going to meet him, thank him on our behalf”. These people recognise the Church's contribution to keep hope alive even at times of acute discouragement, and loss of confidence.
In recent days there were clashes on the border with Somaliland, which claimed independence from the rest of Somalia, and semiautonomous the region of Puntland. What are the causes of this fighting?
Somaliland returned to the old border lines set in the times of the British protectorate which lasted until 1960. Puntland followed clan divisions to trace its borders. Puntland says that the east of Somaliland is inhabited by two groups which are part of the Darod clan which has its centre in Puntland. So the area is disputed by these two political-territorial entities of Somalia. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/1/2008 righe 53 parole 686)
