Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose F. Advincula has offered prayers for peace in Afghanistan and for the safety of its people as the Taliban, an extremist Islamic movement, took control of Kabul, the country’s capital.
“Following the call made by Pope Francis, the Archdiocese of Manila is offering prayers for the well-being and safety of the people of Afghanistan and for peace to be restored,” Advincula said over Radio Veritas.
“We pray for violence to be set aside and for all those involved to be open to dialogue which is the only key for unity and peace to prevail,” the Cardinal added.
The unrest in Afghanistan erupted after its President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The Taliban leaders then occupied Kabul and entered the Afghan Presidential Palace on August 15. In history, the war in Afghanistan began when the Taliban refused to hand over Osama Bin Laden, leader of Al Qaeda, the group that claimed responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001 attack in the US.