Catholics Urge Romania President to Act in Cathedral Row

Bucharest: The head of Romania's Roman Catholic Church on Saturday urged President Traian Basescu to ensure an illegal office tower looming over a historical cathedral in the centre of Bucharest is destroyed.

A Romanian appeals court in January ruled that a 75-metre (245-feet) tower next to the St Joseph Cathedral be torn down, ending years of legal battles.

But the empty glass and steel building, constructed by real estate developer Millenium, has remained untouched despite Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu promising he would respect the law.

Romania's Roman Catholic Church has accused the mayor of "duplicity" and breaking the law.

"We call on to Romania's president to guarantee the rule of law and make sure that court rulings are enforced", Bucharest Archbishop Ioan Robu said in a statement.

The ornate St Joseph cathedral, which is listed as a historic monument by Bucharest, is a cultural and architectural symbol of the Romanian capital.

Oprescu's critics have condemned what they say is his poor track record in protecting the city's heritage.

Many of the capital's historic monuments are threatened by real-estate speculation, heritage groups said in a report this year.