U.N. nuncio says Vatican-Israeli ties important for church, pluralism March-29-2003, Catholic News Service, NEWS BRIEFS

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CNS) -- The Vatican's U.N. nuncio said the inauguration of Vatican-Israeli diplomatic ties a decade ago was significant not only for the Catholic Church but also for the broader issues of pluralism, freedom and peace in the area. However, Archbishop Celestino Migliore said he was concerned that Israel announced last Aug. 28 "without much explanation" that for the time being it would not participate in any further sessions to negotiate a planned follow-up series of treaties. The nuncio spoke on "Vatican-Israeli Relations: 10 Years Later" at the Diocese of Rockville Centre's seminary, Immaculate Conception in Huntington. He was scheduled to speak on the same topic March 31 at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. In Huntington, a Jewish and Catholic audience of about 100, including seminarians, also heard from Rabbi Gerard Meister, director of interreligious relations for the Israeli mission to the United Nations.

Pope says to save children, the victims and protagonists of war 28 March, 2004 VATICAN Vatican City (AsiaNews)

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – A small child was killed at an American military checkpoint in Iraq; a Palestinian boy's life was snuffed out in Nablus as Palestinians and Israelis blame each other for what happened; another Palestinian boy, used as a suicide bomber, was stopped in the nick of time by Israeli soldiers before carrying out the sinister deed. These were just a few of the tragic events which inspired the pope’s words spoke prior to today’s Angelus.

Recalling his 2004 Message for Lent, John Paul II said “these smaller brothers and sisters of ours…are making an agonizing appeal to the world of adults.”

“May their silent cries of suffering not go left unheard,” the pontiff said. The pope also asked all Christians to perform “courageous acts for children”.

Following the Angelus the pope referred to the approaching 10th anniversary of the bloody acts of genocide which took place in Rwanda (the pope was the first to report it). He urged the Hutu and Tutsi tribal population of the county’s Great Lakes district to build up peace in the region.

Below is the complete text read by the pope (translation by AsiaNews):

“In my Lenten Message this year I urged children to be placed at the center of attention in Christian communities. Many of them are victims of serious illnesses, including tuberculosis and AIDS. Many others are uneducated and go hungry each day.

Starvation and malnutrition, made worse by a worrying lack of healthcare, continue to be the daily causes of death of many little children who are deprived of minimum conditions necessary to survive.

In some parts of the world, especially in the poorest countries, there are children and adolescents who are victims of a horrible form of violence, as they are forced to enroll in armies to fight in so-called “unforgotten conflicts”.

These children suffer a doubly scandalous form of aggression: they are made both victims and protagonists of war at the same time, as they get caught up in the hateful vengeance of adults. Being deprived of everything, they see their futures threatened by a nightmare, a bad dream they difficult to escape from.

These smaller brothers and sisters of ours, suffering hunger, war and sickness, are making an agonizing appeal to the world of adults. May their silent cries of suffering not go left unheard. As Jesus reminds us: “He who takes in only one of these children, takes me in too. (Matthew 18, 5).

The season of Lent pushes Christians to accept these words from the Gospel with much more generosity in order to transform them into courageous acts for children who are at risk and abandoned.

May the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, help all children in difficulty and make our efforts fruitful as we lovingly seek to ease their suffering.”

After the Angelus the pope added:

“Ten years have passed since April 7, 1994 when violent clashes erupted in Rwanda between Hutu and Tutsi tribes. Such violence culminated in vicious acts of genocide, killing thousands of people.

We pray to the Lord so that such a tragedy will never happen again.

I say to you, to all you dear people, religious and civil leaders, and to all those throughout the world working generously toward bringing peace to the (Rwanda’s) much loved Great Lakes Region: Do not become discouraged! You, inspired by the words of our Savior, are the builders of the civilization of love: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (Mathew 5, 9).

Vatican condemns Hamas leader assassination 23 March, 2004 CathNews

The Vatican immediately condemned yesterday's killing of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, saying that such assassinations are "unjustifiable in any state of law".

Yassin was killed by an Israeli rocket, launched from a helicopter, as he left a mosque in the Gaza Strip on yesterday morning.

In a statement released shortly after the killing, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls repeated Pope John Paul II's 12 January insistence that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could not be settled by violence.

On that occasion, the Holy Father condemned "the recourse to terrorism on one hand and vendettas on the other".

A month later, while holding an audience with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei at the Vatican, the Pope again called for negotiation, saying that the residents of the Holy Land should reject the temptation toward vengeance and build "bridges, not walls".

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Israel was "not entitled to go in for this kind of unlawful killing". The assassination was "unjustified" and "very unlikely to achieve its objectives".

While US State Department spokesman Lou Fintor said the US "urges all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint", National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice appeared to justify the assassination, saying the Hamas is a terrorist organisation and Sheik Yassin has, the US believes, been personally involved in terrorist planning."

There was condemnation from governments in Europe and the Middle East, but no statement yet from Australia.

Vatican condemns killing of Hamas leader Vatican, Mar. 22 (CWNews.com)

Vatican, Mar. 22 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has condemned the killing of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, saying that such assassinations are "unjustifiable in any state of law."

Yassin was killed by an Israeli rocket, launched from a helicopter, as he left a mosque in the Gaza Strip on Monday morning.

In a statement released shortly after the killing, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls reminded the media of the words used by Pope John Paul II (bio - news), in his January 12 to the Vatican diplomatic corps, regarding the struggle in the Holy Land. The Pope condemned "the recourse to terrorism on one hand and vendettas on the other." He insisted that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could not be settled by violence, and that "lasting peace can never be the fruit of a mere show of strength." On February 12, as he greeted Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei to the Vatican, the Pope again called for negotiations, saying that the residents of the Holy Land should reject the temptation toward vengeance and build "bridges, not walls."

Vatican expresses disapproval of Israeli killing of Hamas leader 22 March 2004 VATICAN CITY (CNS)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican spoke out against the killing of Hamas founder and spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin, assassinated March 22 by Israeli forces in Gaza City. "The Holy See joins the international community in expressing its disapproval of this act of violence, which is not justifiable in any state of law," said the head of the Holy See's press office, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. In a written statement released March 22, Navarro-Valls said, "The position and feelings of the Holy See are clearly expressed in the words of the Holy Father to the diplomatic corps on Jan.12." At the beginning of each year, Pope John Paul II addresses ambassadors around the world who are accredited to the Holy See. Navarro-Valls highlighted a portion of that speech in which the pope addressed the continued violence in the Holy Land. In his speech to diplomats, the pope said, "I will never tire of telling the leaders of these two peoples: The choice of violence, the recourse, on one side, to terrorism, and on the other side to reprisals, the humiliation of the adversary, hateful propaganda, all lead nowhere."

HAMAS CHIEF'S ASSASSINATION CONDEMNED BY HOLY SEE Says the Killing "Cannot Be Justified in Any State of Law" VATICAN CITY, MARCH 22, 2004 (Zenit.org)

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 22, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See condemned the assassination of Ahmed Yassin, the founder of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, who died during an Israeli airstrike.

A note issued today by Joaquín Navarro-Valls, director of the Vatican press office, said: "The Holy See joins the international community to reprove this act of violence that cannot be justified in any state of law."

"Authentic and lasting peace cannot be the fruit of a mere ostentation of force; it is above all the fruit of moral and juridical action," the spokesman said.

Navarro-Valls repeated the appeal for dialogue made by John Paul II to Palestinian and Israeli leaders in his Jan. 12 address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.

Yassin, 68, a quadriplegic since the age of 12, was assassinated by Israeli forces in Gaza City today when they fired missiles at him as he left a mosque in his neighborhood of Sabra after dawn prayers. At least seven other people were also killed.

Since Yassin founded Hamas in 1987, the group has killed hundreds of Israelis in scores of attacks, the Associated Press said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon justified the assassination, saying: "It is the natural right of the Jewish people, like that of all nations in the world that love life, to hunt down those who rise to destroy it."

The United States has denied any implication in the attack. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said that Washington was not aware of Israel's intentions to kill Yassin.

The Council of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Ministers condemned the "selective assassination," considering it an act that "has inflamed the situation."

Egypt and Jordan, which have peace treaties with Israel, also condemned the killing. Russia expressed its concern over a possible "wave of violence," and Japan called for "moderation."

Yassin's assassination is the culmination of the great offensive of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in some 50 Palestinian deaths.

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Israel – Holy See: no apparent fruit after 10 years of diplomatic relations 9 March, 2004 ISRAEL – VATICAN, Jerusalem (AsiaNews)

Fr. David Jaeger, expert in Israel-Holy See agreements, says 10 years ago the Church took a courageous step in initiating diplomatic relations with Israel. Now Israel must show the same courage in returning to the bargaining table.

Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary since the “Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel” went into effect.

Thanks to this agreement, the Holy See has accepted Israel’s request to conduct diplomatic relations with the Vatican. Yet such relations are only the first step in a series of agreements which would have guaranteed the Church’s freedom and rights in Israeli territory. However 10 years after the historic accord was struck the Church in Israel is disappointed, disconcerted and worried.

In effect Israel has never transformed the Fundamental Agreement into law and hence Israeli judges state they cannot recognize it in a court of law. Likewise the only other agreement reached so far was (on the state recognition of legal status of ecclesiastical authorities in 1997), was not passed into state law.

However the most serous matter occurred on Aug. 28 2003, when the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation withdrew from all negotiations with the Holy See, while talks were underway to reach an extremely important agreement on safeguarding Church property and its tax exemption status. The pact was scheduled to be concluded by the 10th anniversary of the Fundamental Agreement.

Last July Israel’s foreign minister, Silvan Shalom, heralded the signing of the accord “within 3 months”. Yet since then Israel has refused to return to the bargaining table with the Vatican, despite its explicit commitment as part of the Fundamental Agreement established 10 years earlier.

Meanwhile, while lacking laws regulating its relations with the State of Israel, the Church finds itself if ever greater difficulty. With such stumbling blocks in their way, such as the absence of traditional exemptions from state taxes, Catholic organizations and institutions (e.g. St. Joseph’s Hospital in Jerusalem, among others) find themselves being dragged to court. Moreover, without such agreements in order, Church personnel are denied entry visas and stay permits for Israel.

Anxiety about the future has gotten worse due to the absolute silence the Israeli government has kept over its reasons for cutting diplomatic relations with the Holy See. And this is evidenced in various daily problems, like when Israeli troops invaded Jerusalem convents in order to built parts of the “Wall of Separation” (or “security barrier”, as the government prefers to call it).

AsiaNews asked the opinion of Fr. David-Maria A. Jaeger, Franciscan priest and one of the greatest legal expert in Holy See-Israeli agreements:

“The State must understanding that it has an absolute legal obligation to return to the bargaining table. Its commitment to do so is part of a solemn international agreement signed and ratified by the State of Israel –otherwise Israel would be defined as defaulting (on the original pact). As for the rest, the rules governing Church-State relations interest the State just as much as they do the Church. If the State wants the rules respected, it must not act like a defaulter. Israel cannot continue cutting itself off from negotiations for too much longer. The Catholic Church made an historic and courageous step, and with great foresight, in accepting to normalize its official relationship with the State of Israel. In return the Church’s legal status in Israel was promised to be normalized as well. I don’t think our interlocutors want to make this historical enterprise fail. The negotiations themselves were undertaken in an atmosphere of reciprocal trust and good will. And if the (Israeli) government accepts taking up talks again I foresee both parties obtaining good results.”

Fr. Jaeger says the reasons behind the stall in diplomatic relations are “unexplainable”. He stresses that Diaspora Jews have asked the government to reconsider its move and to take up talks again. “For me the 10th anniversary since the Fundamental Agreement went into effect brings back memories of great hope and urges us to continue having it,” Fr. Jaeger concluded. “Yet certainly this anniversary cannot be filled with a festive spirit.”

VATICAN - The Pope says at the Angelus: ‘Total trust and confidence in God gives the interior light which transfigures the human person making him a witness of the Resurrection’. The Pope appealed for Africa, the Middle East, the Holy Land and Iraq: “I would once again urge all to take the path of forgiveness and reconciliation”. 8 March, 2004, Agenzia Fides - Agenzia della Congregazione per l'Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Lent calls us to follow Christ in the mystery of his prayer, source of light and strength in the hour of trial. To pray, in fact, means to lose oneself in the spirit of God in an attitude of humble adhesion to his will. From this trusting and confident abandonment to God comes the interior light which transfigures man, making him a witness of the Resurrection. But this can only happen if we listen to Christ and follow him obediently to the passion and the cross.” Before reciting the Angelus prayer on Sunday March 7, Pope John Paul II reflected on the Gospel account of the Transfiguration read on the 2nd Sunday of Lent and on the 25th anniversary of his first encyclical “Redemptor hominis”: “If man wishes to fully understand himself, I wrote then, he must draw near to Christ, enter him, ‘make his own’ and assimilate the whole reality of the Redemption. How appropriate is this truth still today!”. The Holy Father then made the following appeal: “During the week of spiritual exercises in the Vatican I did not forget the painful situation in some countries of Africa, the Middle East and above all in the Holy Land and in Iraq. There our brothers and sisters are suffering unacceptable acts of violence and terrorism which will only aggravate the conditions of those beloved peoples. As I pray for all and I ask everyone to pray, I would once again urge all to take the path of forgiveness and reconciliation.”

After the Marian prayer the Pope announced that on Saturday March 13 in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican there will be a Marian vigil on the occasion of the 2nd European University Day on the theme: "Christ, hope of Europe", and he invited young people to come: “Dear university students I expect you to come in large numbers! We will entrust the path of the peoples of Europe to Mary, Seat of Wisdom.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2004 - Righe 22; Parole 301)

Pope says “forgiveness and reconciliation” needed in Africa, Holy Land, Iraq 7 March, 2004 VATICAN Vatican City (AsiaNews)

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Today, at the noon-time Angelus prayer, the pope made his first public appearance after dedicating himself to a week-long Lenten retreat inside the Vatican. Immediately following the Marian prayer, John Paul II turned his thoughts to people suffering in Africa, the Middle East -particularly in the Holy Land and Iraq.

In recent days, terrorism has hit the Shiite community hard in Karbala and Baghdad. The pope said: “These are our brothers and sisters who are suffering due to unacceptable acts of violence and terrorism (committed against them), which only worsen the lives of these dear people.”

In order to defeat terrorism, the pontiff asked all to pray and “embark on the road to forgiveness and reconciliation.”

His words prior to the Angelus, instead, were devoted to the 25th anniversary of the papal encyclical, Redemptor hominis, the first of John Paul II’s pontificate. In his encyclical the pope expresses guidelines for the Church’s mission in the third millennium.

Below are John Paul II’s words and appeal for peace: (translation by AsiaNews)

“At that time Jesus took Peter, John and James with himself and went on a mountain to pray.” (Luke 9,28). Thus, begins the Gospel reading on Christ’s Transfiguration, which characterizes this second Sunday of Lent. Luke, the Evangelist, stresses that Jesus underwent transfiguration “while praying” on a high mountain and immersed in intimate and profound conversation with God, His Father. A dazzling light then radiated from Jesus’ body, as an early sign of His glory and Resurrection.

Each year, in Lenten preparation for Easter, faithful are urged to follow Christ through the mystery of prayer, as a source of light and strength during times of trial. To pray, in effect, means immersing ourselves in God’s spirit while humbling aligning our will with His. It is with this confident surrender to God’s will that our interior is filled with a light, transfiguring ourselves and making us a witness to Christ’s Resurrection.

But this cannot come about if we don’t listen to Christ and obediently follow him all the way to his passion and death on the Cross. It is to Him that we must turn to, “because only in Him, the Son of God, there is salvation.”

This is what I wanted to urge the entire world to do at the start of Lent 25 years ago in my encyclical Redemptor hominis (cf no. 7). If man wants to wholly understand himself, as I wrote, he must draw close to Christ, enter (in communion) with him, “take possession of” and assimilate the complete reality of His resurrection (cf. no. 10). How true is this reality even today!

May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, help us restart our lives together with Christ in order build a world on a truly human scale.”

(What follows are the words of the pope’s appeal for peace.)

"During our week of Spiritual Excercises in the Vatican I didn’t forget about the painful situation existing in certain countries of Africa, the Middle East and especially the Holy Land and Iraq. These are our brothers and sisters who are suffering due to unacceptable acts of violence and terrorism (committed against them), which only worsen the lives of these dear people. While I pray for these people and invite them to pray, too, I would like to ask once again everyone to embark on the road to forgiveness and reconciliation.”

(At the end, after greeting pilgrims gathering below in St. Peter’s Square, the pope confirmed his appointment to meet with European university students.)

“Next Saturday, at 5:45 pm a Marian vigil will take place at Paul VI Hall during the Second Congress for European University Students, which has as its theme this year -Christ, Hope for Europe. My dear young students, I hope many of you will be there. We entrust the journey of all Europeans in Mary, Sedes Sapientiae (Seat of Wisdom). May everyone enjoy a blessed Sunday.” Printable page

VATICAN - Pressing appeal from the Congregation for the Oriental Churches to help the Church in the Holy Land in urgent need of prayer and concrete solidarity “to sustain the presence of the Christian community in the Holy Land ” 05-03-04, Agenzia Fides - Agenzia della Congregazione per l'Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Vatican City (Fides Service) - As customary at the beginning of Lent, Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches made an appeal to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on behalf of the Christians in the Holy Land "while almost daily we receive sad news on the delicate social, political and economic situation in this region ".

"Many Holy Land Christians have left their country to look elsewhere for another home where they can live in peace and dignity- the Cardinal writes. This situaiton make necessary and urgent the intervention of the whole Catholic Church in order to preserve their presence in the birthplace of Christianity ". He says the Congregation for the Oriental Churches is close to Christians in the Holy Land and it “works to make sure that they may concretely feel the solidarity, concern and support of the Universal Church ".

In his message Cardinal Daoud quotes a part of an address which Pope John Paul II said the a meeting of aids agencies rendering assistance to the Oriental Churches, ROACO: "'You rightly give particular attention to the territories of the Holy Land, because this region, made holy by Jesus hold great significance for all Christians. A special collection is designated for this land and my venerable predecessors, beginning with Leo XIII have strongly encouraged all Catholic communities to contribute generously. Alas, the Holy Land continues to be an area of conflicts and violence and Catholic communities present there suffer and need support and assistance in their many necessities ".

The Cardinal calls for “all the local Churches and Christian communities around the world asking them to fulfil their responsibility of prayer and concrete solidarity ", underlining that this assistance "is an expression of our response to the words of the Lord: Whatever you do for the least of these you do unto me '". Lastly the Cardinal voices the Holy See’s gratitude "to all those who contribute with commitment and generosity to sustain the presence of the Christian community in the Holy Land ".

(S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 5/3/2004; Righe 24; Parole 530)

The Vatican has invited all dioceses worldwide to again take up a collection for the Holy Land this forthcoming Good Friday. VATICAN CITY, MARCH 2, 2004 (Zenit.org)

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 2, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican has invited all dioceses worldwide to again take up a collection for the Holy Land this forthcoming Good Friday.

Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, refers in an appeal letter to "the present dramatic situation" in the region that "requires us to give even greater attention to this Church also in material terms."

"The Christians in the Holy Land are in a particular way prone to feel isolated and abandoned," states the letter, published at the Vatican's Web page.

"That is why they need to experience the evangelical charity, which binds us all together in Christ, and the support of the whole Church, which connects us more closely to our Christian roots," the cardinal's letter says.

The Vatican congregation coordinates this support of the universal Church and to make it effective and fair.

By explicit will of the popes, since 1618, the Church dedicates Good Friday to prayer and almsgiving on behalf of the Catholic community in the Holy Land.

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Prelate seeks help for Christians in Holy Land Vatican, Mar. 02 (CWNews.com)

Vatican, Mar. 02 (CWNews.com) - The prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches has sent a message to all the world's Catholic bishops, asking them to help the Christians of the Holy Land.

Cardinal Ignace I Daoud said that the "delicate social, political, and economic situation" in the Holy Land calls for the "necessary and urgent intervention of the whole Catholic Church."

With Christians steadily leaving the Holy Land, and those who remain battered by economic hardship and threatened by violence, Cardinal Daoud warned that the Christian presence could soon be lost in the land where Jesus lived. He observed that every pope since Leo XIII has "strongly encouraged all Catholic communities to contribute generously" to maintain that Christian presence.