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Published by
Zenit.org,
December 23, 2004
Christian Leaders of
Jerusalem See Reason for Hope
But Lament That Bethlehem Seems a "Big
Prison" |
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JERUSALEM,
DEC. 23, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The patriarchs and
heads of the Christian churches in Jerusalem
believe that there are "small signs of hope"
despite the violence in the Holy Land.
"We go to Bethlehem to adore the mystery of
Christmas, despite the grave difficulties our
people are still experiencing, together with the
recent death of the President Yasser Arafat,"
affirmed the Christian leaders in their Christmas
message.
"Our lived reality is still indeed a feeling of
despair and hopelessness together with a dramatic
rise in unemployment and poverty," they added.
"Justice and peace are still away.
"Blood is shed and political prisoners are
detained in their prisons. The two peoples of this
Holy Land are still in quest of peace and justice,
searching how to put an end to hostility,
bloodshed and killings in Palestine and Israel,
not least in Bethlehem itself, the city of peace
toward which all Christians in the world turn
their eyes in these days."
"Nevertheless, there are in these days small signs
of hope: promises that soon some political
prisoners will be released by the Israelis and
hopes of renewed efforts by all sides to resume
the peace talks," the Christian leaders stated.
The patriarchs and the heads of the churches of
Jerusalem suggested that the Christians of the
Holy Land should ask themselves if "especially in
these days and in this Holy Land, amid oppressions
and humiliations imposed on so many, if we truly
welcome Christ into our lives and if we are true
witnesses to him and if the others see through our
witnessing in our daily life Jesus the Savior and
the Prince of Peace and the dignity he gave to all
men and women."
And the religious leaders wrote to all "Christian
brothers and sisters," to "offer our sincere
thanks for all your prayers, solidarity, and for
your love to this Holy Land and to all its
inhabitants."
"We express our thanks and joy for the coming back
of the pilgrims and look for very many more. The
churches in the world are called to remember that
the Holy Land is the land of the roots of all
Christians," they said.
"The future of Bethlehem itself needs a special
attention," the letter affirmed. "Doubtless you
will sing time-honored carols about 'The Little
Town of Bethlehem.' This little town today needs a
special support in order to remain the town of
peace, where faithful believing in Jesus the
Savior and the Prince of Peace can remain.
"In these days, just before Christmas, it is being
transformed into a big prison with the
continuation of the 'Wall' around it.
"Many Christian families have already left the
Bethlehem area because of the hardships they have
experienced not least from the building of the
'separation wall,' and the incredible structure at
the entrance to the city. All these works have
also meant many Christian families have had their
land confiscated from them."
The message continued: "As heads of churches we
continue to endeavor to build bridges of peace and
hope as we raise our voices for justice amongst
all peoples. But still, dear brothers and sisters,
we need you to play your part in your respective
countries.
"We pray and hope that the days will come when
people in Bethlehem and in all the Holy Land will
live freely without the need of the separation
wall for security."
The message was signed by Greek Orthodox Patriarch
Ireneos I of Jerusalem, Latin-rite Catholic
Patriarch Michel Sabbah; Armenian Orthodox
Patriarch Torkom I Manooghian; Father Pierbattista
Pizziballa, Custodian of the Holy Land; Coptic
Orthodox Archbishop Anba Abraham; Syro-Orthodox
Archbishop Swerios Malki Murad; Ethiopian Orthodox
Archbishop Aba Cuostos; Maronite Archbishop Paul
Sayyah; Anglican Bishop Riah Abu el-Assal;
Lutheran Bishop Mounib Younan; Syro-Catholic
Bishop Pierre Malki; Armenian Catholic Bishop
George Khazoum; Greek Catholic Archimandrite
Mtanios Haddad.
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