ASIA/HOLY LAND - “NOT WALLS BUT BRIDGES”: BISHOPS OF EUROPE AND AMERICA SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND 16-01-04, Agenzia Fides - Agenzia della Congregazione per l'Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – “Not walls but bridges”, a quote from the Holy Father (Pope John Paul II 16 November 2003), was the title chosen for the declaration issued in Jerusalem by Catholic Bishops of Europe and the Americas after a four day visit to the Holy Land 12- 15 January.

“We have seen the devastating effect of the wall currently being built through the land and homes of Palestinian communities” the Bishops affirm, adding that the wall appears to be a permanent structure. The declaration continues: “We have had an experience of the frustration and humiliation undergone every day by Palestinians at checkpoints, which impede them from providing for their families, reaching hospital, getting to work, attending their studies and visiting their relatives. The Bishops say they have heard “the desire for peace, justice and reconciliation among both Israelis and Palestinians.” But they also noted with great regret “the lack of political will not only in this region but in the international community to work for a peaceful settlement. We therefore call upon all our political leaders to respond to the desire for peace which the people of this Holy Land have deep in their hearts.”.

During the brief time in the Holy Land the bishops also saw many encouraging signs of peace: “Most hopeful of all, however, is the vitality and commitment of the Church of the Holy Land itself, including the fraternal relations between Christian leaders”, they said.

The Bishops said they deplore the fact that, despite visible efforts, some priests, seminarians, sisters, brothers, and lay personnel are being denied or are having difficulties in obtaining visas and residence permits to study and work in Israel and the Palestinian territories. “These constitute genuine impediments to the Churches’ capacity to carry out their mission at the service of the people of the Holy Land. This is especially regrettable given that the State of Israel and the Holy See have just marked ten years since the signing of their Fundamental Agreement.

The Bishops who signed the declaration included: Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville and President United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool and Vice-President Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, delegate, Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE); Bishop Reinhard Marx of Trier, German Bishops’ Conference; Bishop William Kenney, Auxiliary of Stockholm, Scandinavian Bishops’ Conference and Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community

(COMECE).(Fides Service 16/1/2004 lines 44 words 468)

European, North American bishops criticize Israeli security wall, NEWS BRIEFS, Jan-15-2004, By Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Bishops from Europe and North America criticized Israel's construction of a "security wall" and condemned recent Palestinian terrorist attacks. The bishops said that the security wall "appears to be a permanent structure dividing families, isolating them from their farmland and their livelihoods and cutting off religious institutions. We express our condolences for the deaths that have occurred during our stay and affirm our opposition to bloodshed," they said in the statement issued Jan. 15 at the conclusion of their four-day meeting in the Holy Land. Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted that the U.S. bishops already had communicated their opposition to the wall to U.S. President George W. Bush. Auxiliary Bishop William Kenney of Stockholm, Sweden, a member of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, and Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, England, vice president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said they would report their concerns about the wall to their respective conferences.

ASIA/HOLY LAND - CATHOLIC BISHOPS FROM EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS MEET IN THE HOLY LAND TO SUPPORT HOLY LAND CHRISTIANS 13-01-04, Agenzia Fides - Agenzia della Congregazione per l'Evangelizzazione dei Popoli

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – Catholic Bishops from Europe and the Americas are meeting Bethlehem and Jerusalem on 12-15 January 2004 for a conference entitled "The Universal Church in solidarity with the Church of the Holy Land" to discuss the situation and how the local Christian community can be comforted and encouraged to stay in the land of Jesus. The Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Canada, England & Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United States will send bishops to the meeting, which is hosted by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of the Holy Land. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and Caritas Latin America will also be represented. With the local representative of the Holy See participants will discuss ways to help Christians living in the present difficult situation in the Holy Land. The Bishops will also meet the Israeli President Kastav and Mr Arafat.

The Bishops will examine the economic and social situation of the people and in particular the situation at Bethlehem Catholic University. They will also discuss pastoral and social support on the part of the other Churches represented at the Meeting. The agenda will include interreligious meetings with representatives of the local Muslim and Jewish communities.

This is the fourth such meeting since the first called in 1998, hosted by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in search for help for Christians in the Holy Land. Most Christians being Arabs they are therefore affected daily by violence and all manner of restrictions. As a result and fearing for the future of their children, growing numbers of Holy Land Christians decide to emigrate.

(MS) (Fides lines, 13/1/2004 – 21 lines 245 words)