NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The Catholic bishops of Albania have issued a new statement denouncing the rising violence in Kosovo, the province of Yugoslavia which borders Albania and is home to a predominantly Albanian population.

      "Once again we all for recognition of the fundamental rights of men," the bishops wrote, in a statement made public today by the Vatican press office. The bishops expressed their concern for the "difficult situation that has been created for our brothers in Kosovo," and said that as tensions mount, and the flow of refugees increases, the people of Albania should show their "traditional sympathy and hospitality."

      The arrival of thousands of refugees shows on the Albanian border shows that the situation in Kosovo is rapidly deteriorating, the bishops said. They asked for an end to the violence, and promised to do "everything within our power" to bring about reconciliation-- acting not as political leaders but as spiritual guides.

      "We condemn every act of violence from whatever side it may originate as it only adds to the hate and evil against the weak, the innocent and the defenseless," the bishops said in a letter released by the Vatican. "The exodus of children, women, and elderly makes us think that the situation is worsening still and becoming ever more alarming."

      Kosovo, one of the three partners in the federation along with Serbia and Montenegro, has been the site of violence since the majority ethnic Albanians began demanding self-rule and autonomy from Serbia earlier this year. NATO has threatened air strikes and deployment of ground troops to end the fighting, and the US and the European Union have imposed investment bans on Serbia in response.