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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
______________________HOLY LAND__________________
Seeking a pact for Jerusalem
Holy See wants international guarantees
The Holy See has entered a new plea for international guarantees protecting access to the holy sites of Jerusalem.
Speaking at the United Nations, during a debate on the status of Palestinian refugees, Archbishop Renato Martino said that Jerusalem’s shrines should be protected against all forms of political maneuvers. In the course of his address—which was delivered on October 30, but made public by the Vatican on November 14—the archbishop reiterated the Vatican view that there should be “a statute guaranteed internationally to safeguard the holy places of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.” He observed that these three great monotheistic religions account for 45 percent of the world’s population, and consequently Jerusalem should be seen as a common “spiritual patrimony” for humanity.
The “unique character” of Jerusalem as a city sacred to three great religions makes it essential that religious leaders, not politicians, control the holy sites, Archbishop Martino said. “The holy places should be protected against use for political ends.”
Solidarity with refugees
Nuncio visits Palestinian victims
As violence continued to take a toll on Palestinian refugees in the Israeli-occupied West Bank during the month of November, the apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, visited three Christian villages that had been the targets of Israeli artillery bombardments. During the eight hours that Archbishop Sambi spent in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, and Bethlehem, the Israeli guns were silent.
Because of Palestinian attacks in Jerusalem and the Israeli shelling of Beit Jala in retaliation, many Christian villagers are now homeless and dozens of Palestinians are dead. Archbishop Sambi visited the families of the victims and those whose homes have been destroyed. Only a few days before the artillery attacks, Archbishop Sambi had said, “The destiny of the Israelis and Palestinians is to live together.” Peace and dialogue, he added, “cannot be sacrificed for the pride of political leaders.”
Back to Catholic World Report January 2001 Table of Contents