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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Catholic Bishops' Statement From the Holy Land "Peace Here is Vital for World Peace" JERUSALEM, JAN. 14, 2005 (Zenit.org)

JERUSALEM, JAN. 14, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Bishops from Europe and North America gathered this week in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Galilee to share in the life of the local Churches in the Holy Land and to strengthen their union with the Church in Jerusalem. Below is a message sent by the bishops to political leaders in the Holy Land.

A Statement by the Members of the Episcopal Coordination for the Holy Land

Jerusalem, Jan. 10-13, 2005

In a gesture of fraternal solidarity with the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, and with the express approval and support of the Holy See, bishops from Europe and North America have come once more this year to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Galilee this week to share in the life of the Local Churches in the Holy Land and to strengthen their communion with the Mother Church of Jerusalem. The Episcopal Coordination works to support the Local Church in its mission of justice, peace and reconciliation. During these last few days we have visited the President of Israel and the President of the Palestinian authority and have brought them both the following message.

We come in the footsteps of two pilgrims to the Holy Land, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.

We are completely united with the Christians of the Holy Land, as they affirm the teaching of Pope Paul VI that peace is brought about through justice for all, and as they stand resolutely with Pope John Paul II in his consistent rejection of any form of violence as a road to peace.

We visit you at a time of great political potential. We know several of our native countries have helped to shape the history of this Land. We are determined that the issues which touch the lives and hopes of all in the Holy Land shall not be neglected. On our return, we will use every opportunity to share with our own communities and governments what we have learned from Palestinian and Israeli authorities and what we have heard and seen in parishes, in Bethlehem's wonderful university - whose story is followed with great interest in many countries - and in schools and hospitals, as well as in Galilee.

At this important moment, we seek to encourage and support all who strive for justice and so pursue peace and those practical steps that will enable the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live in this Land with dignity, in two states, in security and equity.

We affirm and stand with the Church in the Holy Land, with the Patriarch, the pastors, religious men and women and lay people, in their unique witness to the faith we share with them. With the whole Church, we are committed to the survival and vitality of the Christian community in this Land where Jesus was born, died, was buried and rose again.

The importance of the Fundamental Agreement between Israel and the Holy See and the Basic Agreement between the Holy See and the Palestinian Liberation Organization are clear to us and we urge their full enactment and implementation without delay.

We will work for a just peace in this Land and seek to engage our local Churches and countries in this task. The entire world has a stake in justice and peace here. Peace here is vital for world peace.

At this hopeful moment our prayers are with all who share this Land; Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews and Muslims, that we will very soon see decisive action and courageous steps to bring an end to violence and injustice and accomplish reconciliation and a just and lasting peace in the Land we all call Holy.

Jerusalem, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005

+Patrick Kelly, archbishop of Liverpool and vice president, Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and delegate, Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE),
+Brendan O'Brien, archbishop of St. John's Newfoundland and president, Canadian bishops' conference
+William S. Skylstad, bishop of Spokane and president, United States bishops' conference
+Andre Lacrampe, archbishop of Besançon, French bishops' conference
+Joan Enric Vives, bishop of Urgell and Co-prince of Andorra, Spanish bishops' conference
+William Kenney, auxiliary bishop of Stockholm, Scandinavian bishops' conference and delegate, Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE)
+Pierre Burcher, auxiliary bishop of Lausanne, Swiss bishops' conference
+Andreas Laun, auxiliary bishop of Salzburg, Austrian bishops' conference
+Monsignor Piergiuseppe Vachelli, undersecretary, Italian bishops' conference

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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).

Bishops Meeting in Jerusalem ROME, JAN. 7, 2005 (Zenit.org)

ROME, JAN. 7, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The annual meeting of bishops of episcopal conferences of a number of countries with participants in the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land will be held in Jerusalem starting Saturday.

The purpose of the meeting, which will be presided over by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic delegate in the Holy City, is to promote solidarity with the Holy Land's Christian community, and to share the pastoral life of the local Church.

Among those attending the meeting will include bishops from Canada, the United States, England and Wales, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

This Saturday, the bishops will participate in a children's ecumenical Christmas celebration in Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity, according to the Spanish episcopal conference. Some 1,000 children of the eastern area will also attend.

Scheduled for Sunday are a series of pastoral visits to parishes of Jerusalem and the eastern area, such as Ramallah, in which the participants will attend the celebration of Mass with the local communities.

The working sessions run Monday through Thursday. The first sessions will focus on the situation in Israel and Palestine with the help of experts and politicians from both communities.

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American, European Catholic leaders to visit Holy Land Jerusalem, Jan. 07 (CWNews.com)

Jerusalem, Jan. 07 (CWNews.com) - A "coordinating group" of European and American Catholic leaders will receive a thorough briefing on the situation in the Holy Land during meetings next week in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Father Pierre Grech, the secretary-general of the episcopal conference of the Holy Land, explained that the meetings, scheduled for January 10-13, are designed to inform the visiting Church officials on a variety of issues. The meetings will be addressed by Israeli and Palestinian professors; sessions will include discussions on inter-religious affairs and on the activities of Evangelical Protestants in the Holy Land. Since Israeli-Palestinian relations are always crucial considerations, the visitors will meet with Israeli president Moshe Katzav, and with the winner of Palestinian elections slated for January 10. (Mahmoud Abbas is heavily favored to emerge victorious in the Palestinian voting.) The visit will conclude with a press conference on January 13.

The "coordinating committee," which has organized visits to the Holy Land for each of the past four years, is designed as an expression of "common concern for the situation in the Holy Land," Father Grech said. He added that the American and European leaders had helped to encourage many pilgrims to visit the Holy Land.

The committee was established on the initiative of Patriarch Michel Sabbah, the Latin-rite Catholic leader of Jerusalem, who wanted to establish stronger ties with episocopal conferences elsewhere around the world, and stimulate their interest in the local Catholic community. Father Grech observed, "We feel stronger with the support of different bishops' conferences."

The participants in this year's visit will include Msgr. William Fay, the secretary general of the US bishops' conference; Archbishop Andre Lacrampe, of Besancon, France; Archbishop Brendan O'Brien of St. John's, Newfoundland; and representatives from the bishops' conferences of Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Austria.