WHERE JEWS, ARABS AND OTHERS MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER Franciscan Builds Bridges in Holy Land Through Magnificat Institute JERUSALEM, FEB. 15, 2004 (Zenit.org).

JERUSALEM, FEB. 15, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II has called for bridges, not walls, to be built between communities in the Holy Land. Father Armando Pierucci has been doing that for 15 years -- through music.

Through his teaching and the founding of the Magnificat Institute for Music, the Franciscan priest has made it possible for students and musicians of the most varied backgrounds to work together.

Leaving behind the Italian Conservatory of Music of Pesaro, Father Pierucci traveled to the Holy Land as a musician in 1988.

From the start of his mission, he realized that it was not enough to animate the liturgies in shrines: It was necessary to teach music to ensure continuity.

"I invited some youths," the priest explained in the Franciscan monthly bulletin Fraternitas. "When they had learned a bit, I said to them: 'Now start accompanying the singing in the church.' It was impossible; they were either embarrassed or belonged to different Christian confessions. Some of them simply said: 'Now I am 14; I am older. I must think of my future.' And they would stop studying."

So he conceived the idea of opening a school of music. The Magnificat Institute began in 1995.

At first, Father Pierucci taught with two Palestinian teachers. In subsequent years, as the number of students grew, Jewish teachers were also admitted.

"We never had problems of racial animosity; music unites us," the Franciscan said.

The institute now has 16 teachers and 180 students of diverse backgrounds: Jews, Arabs, Romanians, French, Armenians, Muslims, Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Orthodox and Syrians.

When there are exams, at the end of the sessions the Jewish teacher embraces her Palestinian students and offers them sweets and chocolates; the students give their Jewish teachers flowers.

Father Pierucci said the Magnificat Institute is not just a school, but a way of being together, of working together.

"Together we have constructed a bomb of music and peace, and we have exploded it in Jerusalem," the priest said.

Since July, there is an agreement in place with the Italian Conservatory of Vicenza which allows students of the Magnificat to take their final exam in Vicenza and obtain a diploma equivalent to that of Italian conservatories.

To support the activity of the Magnificat Institute, Father Pierucci has launched the CD "Via Crucis," whose text is inspired in the poem by the same name, written by Regina Derieva, a Russian poetess of Jewish origin who converted to Christianity. For more information on the CD, contact Father Lorenzo Bufarini, Conv. S. Giovanni Battista, Pesaro, Italy. Telephone: (39) 0721-31378. E-mail: ciropesaro@tin.it.

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EUROPE/ITALY - Lay Franciscan call for peace in the Holy Land: “Europe cannot simply stand and watch” : Second year running “Painting Piazze with Peace” young people create awareness Rome (Fides Service) 09 Feb., 2004

Rome (Fides Service) – “Let’s empower hope! Peace is possible, and peace is a duty!”. This appeal comes from the association of lay Franciscans of Italy who state: “deeply concerned by so many wars afflicting humanity, we want to draw attention to the conflict in the Holy Land which is now a sad emblem because of the intensity and means which is it fought ”. A copy of the appeal, addressed to the President of Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, was sent to Fides. The authors say the war in the Holy Land “causes a destructive short circuit” and “demonstrates the uselessness of force to solve conflict ”.

“To fight for peace means to fight for civil harmony because peace means truth and justice and solutions to problems for a dignified life in security and recognition of the dignity of the person against all manipulation ” they say.

The lay Franciscans tell national and European leaders “Europe cannot simply stand and watch it has a duty to overcome the lack of political will and to intervene with decision to reach a peace treaty between Israel and Palestine. We feel the responsibility to pray and organise initiatives to increase public awareness and to support diplomatic activity of governments.”

“To solve the Israel-Palestine conflict international bodies must intervene to ensure full respect for international law and UN resolutions”. Overcoming the logic of retaliation, “it must be said that Palestinians have the same right to freedom, security and dignity as the Israelis and both have the right to development of their respective societies and citizens ”, re-launching the Pope’s cry they say: “The Holy Land needs bridges not walls!”

As part of this initiative on 15 February for the second year running hundreds of young people all over Italy will take part in a Day of Painting Piazza with Peace day to call attention to the tragic situation in the Holy Land.

(PA) (Fides Service 9/2/2004 lines 34 words 375)