Israel, Vatican to resume negotiations in February Rome, Jan. 31 (CWNews.com)

Rome, Jan. 31 (CWNews.com) - The oft-delayed negotiations between the Holy See and the government of Israel, designed to produce a final accord to implement the "fundamental agreement" of 1993, will resume on February 15.

Oded Ben Hur, the Israel ambassador to the Holy See, confirmed that the talks would resume in February. But he denied that the resumption of talks was due to diplomatic pressure from the United States.

Last week the US bishops had written to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, asking her to press Israel for a resumption of talks. The American bishops noted that Israeli officials have frequently interrupted the talks, despite a promise to conclude a pact that will guarantee the legal rights of Catholic institutions in the Holy Land.

The talks were resumed last year, after US diplomats openly urged Israel to return to the negotiating table. But the talks broke off in December

The two key questions under discussion are the tax status of Church properties and the standing of Catholic institutions in Israeli courts. Ambassador Ben Hur claimed that a general agreement has already been reached on the tax issue.

The legal status of Church institutions in the Holy Land today is governed by laws that date back to 1920, before the foundation of the state of Israel, when Palestine was territory governed under a British mandate. That law stipulates that civil tribunals will not judge religious questions. Catholic officials observe that the law, as it stands, gives rise to problems when there are legal conflicts between religious bodies-- such as the dispute between Catholic and Muslim officials over plans to construct an enormous mosque adjacent to the Annunciation basilica in Nazareth, or disputes between Catholic and Orthodox officials over access to Christian shrines. Ambassador Ben Hur says that the Israeli government looks forward to finding a formula that would allow a satisfactory resolution of such problems. "There are problems with other religious confessions, as well as Catholics," he says. "The resolution of the accord with the Holy See could provide some precedents on which we can base relations with other faiths." The Israeli envoy insisted that his government has not spoken with the US Secretary of State about relations with the Holy See. However, Condoleeza Rice was scheduled to meet with representatives of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on January 31-- the date the resumption in negotiations was announced.

US bishops prod Israel on talks with Holy See Washington, Jan. 27 (CWNews.com)

Washington, Jan. 27 (CWNews.com) - The US bishops' conference has urged the Bush Administration to put diplomatic pressure on the Israel, urging that country's government to resume serious negotiations with the Holy See.

In a letter addressed to Condoleeza Rice, the newly installed American Secretary of State, the president of the US bishops' conference notes that US pressure led Israel to re-open talks with the Holy See in 2004. Bishop William Skylstad observes, however, that the talks have to date been unproductive.

Effective pressure from Washington could convince Israel to engage in good-faith bargaining, Bishop Skylstad argues: "US intervention in this matter is critical."

Israel and the Holy See have not yet completed the accords that are called for in the 1993 "Fundamental Agreement" signed by the two parties. After years of desultory talks, Israeli officials pulled out of negotiations, returning to the bargaining table only after American diplomats exerted pressure. However, since resuming talks in August 2004, the Israeli negotiating team has continued to work slowly.

Bishop Skylstad, in his letter, says that the US bishop "are deeply dismayed by the lack of progress, and we fear a lack of commitment, on the part of the Israeli government." The bishops, he continued, "urge the Administration to address these matters with the government of Israel and to move this process forward expeditiously and effectively."

The American bishops' letter points out that the issues under negotiation involve the legal status of the Church in the Holy Land. Israel has not yet agreed to terms on an accord that would establish the tax status of Church-run institutions, and guarantee the legal rights of Catholic institutions.

U.S. Urged to Press Israel on Pact With Holy See Episcopate President Sends Letter to Condoleezza Rice VATICAN CITY, JAN. 19, 2005 (Zenit.org).

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 19, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The president of the U.S. bishops' conference has asked Condoleezza Rice to exert pressure on Israel to comply with the agreements signed with the Holy See.

"We are deeply dismayed by the lack of progress, and we fear a lack of commitment, on the part of the Israeli government in negotiations with the Holy See over economic matters and other vital concerns to the Catholic Church and the wider Christian community in the Holy Land," affirms Bishop William Skylstad in his letter to Secretary of State-designate Rice.

The prelate referred to the application of the Fundamental Agreement of 1993 between the Holy See and the state of Israel.

"Our concerns do not minimize the suffering of Jews and Muslims, but the issues between the government of Israel and the Holy See are also of great importance for religious liberty, not only for the Catholic Church but for the vitality of the all Christian communities within Israel," wrote Bishop Skylstad of Spokane, Washington.

"We urge the administration to address these matters with the government of Israel and to move this process forward expeditiously and effectively," the letter continued.

"This recognition proceeded even without a full resolution of outstanding major issues of concern to the Church," he added, "but with the promise by the Israeli government that these would be addressed through further negotiations.

"The agreed-upon bases for these negotiations were the rights acquired by the Church prior to the U.N. mandate establishing the state of Israel. These rights were reaffirmed in the U.N. mandate establishing the state of Israel and in the Israeli Declaration of Independence."

Bishop Skylstad continued: "Among the most critical issues facing the Church in Israel is its ability to maintain its rights to Church properties. Maintaining these properties is key to the mission and ministry of the Church in the Holy Land and thus its religious freedom.

"The exercise of arbitrary taxation policies by the government of Israel against Church properties and the government's denial of access to due process through Israeli courts to settle property disputes violates international law and the history of the prior rights of the Church."

"While these negotiations have faltered previously, it was only with strong U.S. encouragement that they were revived in July 2004. Unfortunately, the revival of talks has been hesitant and fitful," the prelate observed.

"In addition, we have been told the Israeli negotiators have not had full empowerment to conduct talks with the degree of seriousness they need," he added. "The failure to enact and implement the Fundamental Agreement, including the lack of progress in negotiations on economic matters, raises serious questions about the basic commitments made by the Israeli government.

"U.S. intervention in this matter is critical. We ask you to urge the government of Israel to renew its negotiations with the Holy See without further delays."

Today, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to confirm Rice's appointment as the new secretary of state, to replace Colin Powell. The appointment now faces a vote in the full Senate.

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Bishops press Israel on "fundamental accord" Jerusalem, Jan. 13 (CWNews.com)

Jerusalem, Jan. 13 (CWNews.com) - European and American bishops are pressing for the full implementation of the "fundamental accord" governing relations between the Holy See and the government of Israel.

Speaking at the conclusion of a visit to the Holy Land, a group of 8 Western bishops issued a statement on January 13 underlining the importance of the Vatican-Israel accord, as well as a similar pact between the Holy See and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The bishops called for "their total application, without delay."

Vatican officials have frequently expressed exasperation about the slow progress toward full implementation of the "fundamental accord" with Israel, which was originally signed in 1993. The terms of that accord stipulated that the two parties would sign further agreements to establish the juridical and economic rights of the Church in Israel. But negotiation on those pacts has proceeded very slowly, with Israeli representatives breaking off the talks, without explanation, on more than one occasion. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to begin in Jerusalem this week.

A similar "fundamental accord" with the Palestinian Authority, signed in 2000, is also the subject of some tension. The agreement promises religious freedom and legal equality for all believers under Palestinian rule. But a proposed Palestinian constitution declares Islam as the official religion of the state, raising questions about the civil rights of the Christian minority.

During four days in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Galilee, the visiting bishops said that they had arrived in the Holy Land at a crucial time, when the prospects for progress toward a peace settlement appear better than they have been in several years. In their final statement, they applauded all those involved in the peace process, and voiced their hope that Israelis and Palestinians could live "with dignity, in two states, in security and equity."

During their stay in the Holy Land, the bishops met with Israeli President Moshe Katzav and the newly elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Archbishop Andre Lacrampe of Besancon, France, said that the visit had also allowed the prelates to "become more directly informed about the evolution of the political and economic situation for Christians." In their final joint statement, the visiting bishops promised to pass along their newfound understanding of the situation to Christians and political leaders in their own countries.

The eight visiting bishops-- known as the "coordinating committee" because their delegation was intended to represent the bishops' conferences of Europe and North America-- included the heads of the archdiocese of Liverpool (England); St. John's, Newfoundland (Canada); and Besancon; and the dioceses of Spokane (US), Urgell (Spain), Stockholm (Sweden), Lausanne (Switzerland), and Salzburg (Austria).

Vatican shares artifacts with Israel JAN. 11, 2005, CathNews

The Vatican will present the works of Moses Maimonides, one of the most influential figures in modern Jewish thought to Israel for scholarly study. With this gesture, the Vatican hopes to continue to bridge the divide between Jews and Christians worldwide.

Catholic News Agency reports that later this month, Pope John Paul II will receive a delegation of about 160 rabbis, cantors and American lay Jews who wish to thank the Pope for his years of good will and hard work toward bridging cultural and religious divides between the two faiths. There, they will discuss the display of the priceless artifacts for the first time in Israel.

The Vatican’s gesture is being viewed as a major step toward improved relations. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “The loaning of the manuscripts is also viewed as an offering to resolve other political and social disagreements in Israel, including Hebrew University's partial use of a convent since 1948 that the Vatican wants back, and property tax exemptions for religious institutions.”

Gary Krupp, who helped to make the loan happen, reported to the Sun-Sentinel that the benefit of this loan and future gestures like it “would be astronomical.”

Maimonides was a 12th century sage from Egypt known for, among other things, the first codification of Jewish law. His writings have greatly influenced both Jewish and Christian thought for centuries.

The one of a kind document, recorded by a scribe in the 1400’s is one of the few remaining records of Maimonides after Jewish opponents who considered him a heretic burned much of his original work.

During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church safeguarded many of the major works of western thought, and retains many original documents within its archives.

The Maimonides manuscript is among at least three other medieval manuscripts, which could be on display at the Israel Museum as early as this May.

Krupp was happy to report that the Vatican had maintained the documents perfectly.

Mideast at Heart of Pope's Prayer This Month VATICAN CITY, JAN. 7, 2005 (Zenit.org)

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 7, 2005 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II is praying this month of January "that all those working in the Middle East may intensify their efforts for peace."

The general intention was announced by the Apostleship of Prayer, an intention the Pope makes his own, to offer his prayers and sacrifices together with thousands of faithful worldwide.

The Holy Father expressed his concern over the strife in Jesus' homeland, in his message for the World Day of Peace, whose theme was "Do Not Be Overcome by Evil but Overcome Evil with Good."

"I think immediately of the beloved continent of Africa, where conflicts which have already claimed millions of victims are still continuing," the Pope wrote. "Or the dangerous situation of Palestine, the Land of Jesus, where the fabric of mutual understanding, torn by a conflict which is fed daily by acts of violence and reprisal, cannot yet be mended in justice and truth."

He added: "To attain the good of peace there must be a clear and conscious acknowledgment that violence is an unacceptable evil and that it never solves problems."

Every month, the Pope also offers his prayer for a missionary intention. In January he is praying "that in mission lands holy and generous apostles may be raised up, eager to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to everyone."

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