Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

People on the Move

N° 99, December 2005

IN OCCASIONE DEL TRAGICO ROGO ALLÂ’AEROPORTO DI SCHIPOL

(lettera di solidarietà)

From the Vatican,13 March 2006

Prot. N. 1968/2005

Your Excellency,

           I am very sorry to hear that eleven persons died and several were wounded in the fire that broke out in the detention centre in the premises of the Schipol International Airport. The difficult conditions of the detainees at international airports have been a great concern for this Pontifical Council. 

           While I express my deep sympathy with the victims and assure my prayers for the souls of the departed and for the speedy recovery of the wounded, may I ask Your Excellency to convey the sentiments of my loving solicitude to all those who are concerned. 

With prayerful good wishes, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

     Stephen Fumio Cardinal Hamao

   President

+ Archbishop Agostino Marchetto

            Secretary                 

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His Excellency Msgr. Joseph Maria PUNT

Bishop of Harlem Postbus 1053

NL-2011 NJ Haarlem, Nederland

Copy to Rev. Fr. Wim Van Broekhoven, Airport Chaplain