Catholic Bishop of Manzini, Eswatini, Visits “petrol bombed” Primary School Library, Prays

“It is difficult to know who benefits from this. We do know who pays the consequences: the children,” the member of Consolata Missionaries says in his April 6 statement.

He notes that “it is always the poor and the most vulnerable who suffer most the consequences of violence.”

“Violence can only generate more violence. It does not matter where it comes from nor who inflicts it. Jesus chose to break the cycle of violence on the cross. Those who follow him, do the same,” the Catholic Bishop says.

Credit: Manzini Diocese/Facebook

He continues, “Jesus' tears over Jerusalem naturally come back to our hearts and minds. Jesus continues to cry over these ‘new Jerusalems’ unable to find the way to peace.”

“We pray for all those who have been traumatized by this experience and live in fear,” Bishop Ponce de León says.

He implores, “Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be recognized as children of God. Peacemakers - not just peaceful - are desperately needed.”