ASIA/HOLY LAND - CHRISTMAS 2003: YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CARRY MESSAGE OF PEACE WITH CONCERTS IN JERUSALEM AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN MUSIC STUDENTS 15 Dec 2003 Jerusalem (Fides Service)

Jerusalem (Fides Service) – Peace in the Holy Land can be launched by youth: with this conviction, this Christmas 28 people aged between 16 and 26 from 21 different countries, “will stage a peaceful invasion of the Holy Land” (in response to a call by the Franciscans in Jerusalem). With their presence and music they will carry a message of dialogue, hope for peace and harmony. With the sponsorship of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land the World Youth Orchestra WYO – started in 2001 with the best students at conservatories all over the world– will give a series of concerts December 20 and 21 in Jerusalem, Ramallah and to the Jewish-Arab community in Nevé Shalom (north of Jerusalem). They hope in this way to show the leaders in the Holy Land, and to the world that peace in the Middle East is possible and it is deeply desired by all the young people in the region who aspire to a future of tranquillity, joy and harmony.

The WYO Tour for Peace 2003” della WYO is a project of the non-profit association MusicaEuropa, nominated UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. It is chaired by Italian conductor Damiano Giuranna, who launched WYO after the 9/11 terrorist attack convinced that youth and music can be a basis for launching a message of peace internationally that even in the Middle East torn by years of conflict. WYO concerts include traditional popular Mediterranean music in a classical key, “create the basis for intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence regardless of ideological or religious identity” Giuranna explained.

For Giuranna and the orchestra music is a universal language and as a tangible sign they will offer scholarships to four young Israeli and Palestinian music students who will be invited to join the WYO Tour 2004.

WYO is highly symbolic since its members are young people from various countries: China and Taiwan, Israel and Iran, England and Ireland, Greece and Turkey, Egypt, Korea, Australia, Morocco, United States, Albania, Italia, Germany, France, Russia, Spain, Baltic Republics. These young musicians offer testimony of dialogue, friendship and fraternity and political leaders would to well to listen and learn.

(PA) (Fides Service 15/12/2003 lines 37 words 433)

ASIA/HOLY LAND - FRIARS TELL PILGRIMS: “COME, INVADE THE HOLY LAND!” COME TO BETHLEHEM FOR CHRISTMAS 04-12-03, Agenzia Fides - Agenzia della Congregazione per l'Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Jerusalem (Fides Service) – An call for a “peaceful invasion” of the Holy Land 2003 has been launched by the Franciscans in Jerusalem, Holy Land Custodians. After news from travel agents that bookings for the Holy land are increasing, Christians living in the places where Jesus walked hope for a massive comforting presence of pilgrims this Christmas.

Fides received a message in which Father Ibrahim Faltas OFM, headmaster of Holy Land School and Mr Hanna J. Nasser, mayor of Bethlehem, welcome Christian visitors telling them not to be afraid: “Invade the Holy land for a few days at Christmas and let yourselves by won over by it cultural and human message. In this way you will offer a concrete and constructive contribution towards peace worth much more than a thousand words. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your solidarity with those in difficulty and to offer hope. You will express with facts your fraternal affection for the people of the Holy Land, and this will be for everyone an act of love and respect for the communities living here amidst so many difficulties ”.

The message recalls that Cardinal Martini, told the international community: “Rather than walls of cement or stones to divide, it is better to build a bridge of people which, while guaranteeing security on both sides, allows the two communities to communicate and grow in mutual understanding in daily life”.

(PA) (Fides Service 1/12/2003 Lines: 28 Words: 305)

PILGRIMS URGED TO VISIT HOLY LAND AT CHRISTMAS JERUSALEM, DEC. 4, 2003 (Zenit.org)

JERUSALEM, DEC. 4, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Franciscans in Jerusalem, Custodians of the Holy Land, have joined in launching a call for a "peaceful invasion" of the Holy Land.

Father Ibrahim Faltas, of the Order of Friars Minor, and Hanna Nasser, mayor of Bethlehem, relayed a message inviting Christian pilgrims to travel to the Holy Land.

"Invade the Holy Land for a few days at Christmas," they said in a statement to the Vatican's Fides agency, "and let yourselves by won over by its cultural and human message. In this way you will offer a concrete and constructive contribution towards peace worth much more than a thousand words."

Tourism, a mainstay of the local economy, has been devastated since the intifada, the Palestinian uprising, broke out three years ago.

"You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your solidarity with those in difficulty and to offer hope," the message of Father Faltas and Nasser said. "This will be for everyone an act of love and respect for the communities living here amid so many difficulties."

"With your presence as tourists and pilgrims, you would not be in any danger and you would do much to restore daily normality," the statement added.

ZE03120420

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Holy Land Franciscans hope for Bethlehem Christmas pilgrim rush CathNews 3 Dec. 2003

The Franciscan custodians of Catholic shrines in the Holy Land are seeking a "peaceful invasion" of pilgrims, specifically visitors to Bethlehem for Christmas.

The Fides news service reports an increase in the number of Christians planning trips to Bethlehem this year. It says Christians "living in the places where Jesus walked hope for a massive comforting presence of pilgrims this Christmas".

Holy Land Franciscan Fr Ibrahim Faltas, together with Bethlehem mayor Hanna J. Nasser, has assured potential Christian pilgrims that there is no need to be afraid.

"Invade the Holy Land for a few days at Christmas and let yourselves by won over by its cultural and human message," they told Fides. "In this way you will offer a concrete and constructive contribution towards peace worth much more than a thousand words."

The Israeli business website Globes is reporting that the Italian Bishops Conference has urged bishops to encourage the faithful to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

Globes cites figures to back its claim of an upsurge in Catholic tourism to Israel. During the period of January to October 2003, 19,445 visitors arrived from Italy, an increase of 48% over the same period last year. During the same period, 12,812 visitors came from Spain, which was 92% more than in the same period in 2002, and 29,271 tourists from Central and South America up 29% over the same period last year.

Pictured: Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Visit Bethlehem for Christmas, Franciscans in Holy Land urge Bethlehem, Dec. 02, 2003 (FIDES/CWNews.com)

Bethlehem, Dec. 02, 2003 (FIDES/CWNews.com) - The Franciscan custodians of Catholic shrines in the Holy Land have asked for a "peaceful invasion" of pilgrims-- specifically, visitors to Bethlehem for Christmas.

The Fides news service reports an increase in the number of Christians planning trips to Bethlehem this yea, and says that "Christians living in the places where Jesus walked hope for a massive comforting presence of pilgrims this Christmas."

Fides received a message in which Father Ibrahim Faltas OFM, headmaster of the Holy Land School; and Hanna J. Nasser, Mayor of Bethlehem, welcome Christian visitors, telling them not to be afraid: "Invade the Holy Land for a few days at Christmas and let yourselves by won over by its cultural and human message," they write. "In this way you will offer a concrete and constructive contribution towards peace worth much more than a thousand words."

The message recalls that Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, told the international community: "Rather than walls of cement or stones to divide, it is better to build a bridge of people."

ASIA/HOLY LAND - FRIARS TELL PILGRIMS: “COME, INVADE THE HOLY LAND!” COME TO BETHLEHEM FOR CHRISTMAS 1 Dec 2003 Jerusalem (Fides Service)

Jerusalem (Fides Service) – An call for a “peaceful invasion” of the Holy Land 2003 has been launched by the Franciscans in Jerusalem, Holy Land Custodians. After news from travel agents that bookings for the Holy land are increasing, Christians living in the places where Jesus walked hope for a massive comforting presence of pilgrims this Christmas.

Fides received a message in which Father Ibrahim Faltas OFM, headmaster of Holy Land School and Mr Hanna J. Nasser, mayor of Bethlehem, welcome Christian visitors telling them not to be afraid: “Invade the Holy land for a few days at Christmas and let yourselves by won over by it cultural and human message. In this way you will offer a concrete and constructive contribution towards peace worth much more than a thousand words. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your solidarity with those in difficulty and to offer hope. You will express with facts your fraternal affection for the people of the Holy Land, and this will be for everyone an act of love and respect for the communities living here amidst so many difficulties ”.

The message recalls that Cardinal Martini, told the international community: “Rather than walls of cement or stones to divide, it is better to build a bridge of people which, while guaranteeing security on both sides, allows the two communities to communicate and grow in mutual understanding in daily life”. “With your presence – the Friars said – as tourists and pilgrims you would not be in any danger and you would do much to restore daily normality. In your hearts every day should be Christmas towards those who suffer. Christmas is God’s loving mercy for humanity. Please come!”

(PA) (Fides Service 1/12/2003 Lines: 28 Words: 305)