03-07-2008, 10:17 AM
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Contributor
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 173
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Quote:
Catholic official welcomes Kosovo's declaration of independence
By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service
OXFORD, England (CNS) -- A Catholic official in Kosovo welcomed its declaration of independence, adding that the rights of all people would be guaranteed in the new country.
"We are fully behind independence -- it's a great joy that it has come so quickly," said Msgr. Shan Zefi, chancellor of Kosovo's Catholic apostolic administration in Prizren.
"The Catholic faithful are celebrating throughout Kosovo. We are optimistic about the future, and we expect great things for the Catholic Church," he said Feb. 19, two days after Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia.
In a telephone interview with Catholic News Service, he said his church counted on the international community to "defend law and security" in the new state, adding that he had celebrated Mass in thanksgiving for the United States backing Kosovo's independence.
"We are lucky to have such support, and we want to express our church's appreciation to all our American friends," Msgr. Zefi said. "Catholic and Muslim Albanians here are all aware of the role played by the U.S. We can be sure our relations will always be very warm in consequence."
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http://uscatholic.claretians.org/sit...ticle&id=13218
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