Ablonczy Offers Condolences on Death of Peace Cardinal of Guatemala

June 5, 2012 - The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), today issued the following statement on the death of Rodolfo Cardinal Quezada Toruño, archbishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic metropolitan see of Guatemala:

“On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the government and people of Guatemala on this very sad day.

“Cardinal Quezada Toruño led Guatemala’s National Reconciliation Commission from 1987 to 1993 and later negotiated the peace agreement, signed in December 1996, that brought an end to Guatemala’s 36-year civil war.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Guatemala today.”

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

John Babcock
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
613-944-1291

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
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