Jerusalem patriarch says Arafat helped Christians Jerusalem, Nov. 12 (CWNews.com)

Jerusalem, Nov. 12 (CWNews.com) - The Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem hopes that future Palestinian leaders will not show hostility toward the Christian presence in the Palestinian territories.

Patriarch Michel Sabbah, speaking about the prospects for Christians after the death of Yasser Arafat, told a Vatican Radio audience that the deceased Palestinian leader had "paid special attention to the Christian presence, the churches, and Christian Palestinians." He cited the "many gestures" that Arafat had made to indicate his support for the Christian presence, particularly his regular attendance at Christmas Mass in Bethlehem.

The Latin-rite patriarch said that Arafat had occasionally intervened in disputes between Christian and Muslim leaders, particularly in Bethlehem, to defuse clashes and to "restore equilibrium in relations." Arafat had opposed the construction of a mosque in Bethlehem on grounds abutting the historic basilica of the Nativity. "He took a very clear position" in that conflict, the patriarch recalled.

Patriarch Sabbah, himself a Palestinian, said that Arafat's meetings with Pope John Paul II (bio - news) had helped to "open the eyes of the world." By meeting with the Palestinian leader, he said, the Pontiff had "recognize him as the leader of a people, and thus recognized the rights of those people." Today, he said, "the while world-- even Israel and American-- recognizes that there will be a Palestinian state."

Adding his praise for the deceased Palestinian, the patriarch said that in Arafat's vision, "Palestine was not just the land of the Palestinians or the Israelis, but also belonged to the whole world, because of the presence of the holy Christian shrines." He said that he hoped "that universal vision, which goes beyond nationalism, will continue with the leaders who take his place."