USCCB, Other Episcopal Conferences Call for the Courage to Achieve Peace in the Holy Land

WASHINGTON—Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined with Catholic bishops from Europe and Canada in issuing a communiqué called "The Courage to Achieve Peace in the Holy Land" on behalf of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land. This communiqué was issued at a January 14 press conference at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, at the end of the Coordination’s tenth annual visit to the Holy Land.

In the communiqué, the bishops said: "We urge all people to support public officials who take courageous initiatives for a just resolution of the conflict—a two-state solution with security and recognition for Israel, and a viable and independent state for Palestinians. For us, this is not merely about politics; it is an issue of basic human rights."

One issue that was brought to the fore has been the growing distance between Israelis and Palestinians where a lack of human contact undermines trust and dialogue. In visits to parishes across the West Bank, Bethlehem University, the seminary at Beit Sahour the bishops heard the stories of everyday life. There were also presentations from Israeli, Palestinian and international commentators about the current situation. Despite the lack of progress in securing a two-state solution for all, the bishops believe progress is possible with determination and international support.

The Holy Land Coordination represents Catholic bishops’ conferences of Europe and North America. It was formed in Jerusalem in 1998 at the request of the Holy See. The bishops meet with Church leaders in the Holy Land every year and through prayer, encouraging pilgrimage and political persuasion seek to demonstrate solidarity with the local Church in the difficult socio-political climate. This year the focus was on the crucial situation in East Jerusalem of property confiscations and evictions.

The full text of the communiqué follows:

THE COURAGE TO ACHIEVE PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND:

COMMUNIQUE OF THE

COORDINATION OF EPISCOPAL CONFERENCES

IN SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH IN THE HOLY LAND

January 14, 2010

Jerusalem

At our tenth meeting in the Holy Land, Patriarch Fouad Twal reflected on the pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI in May 2009. In union with our Holy Father we call for justice and peace for all of the peoples of this land. We make his departing appeal our own:

No friend of the Israelis and the Palestinians can fail to be saddened by the continuing tension between your two peoples. No friend can fail to weep at the suffering and loss of life that both peoples have endured over the last six decades. Allow me to make this appeal to all the people of these lands: No more bloodshed! No more fighting! No more terrorism! No more war! Instead let us break the vicious circle of violence. Let there be lasting peace based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing. Let it be universally recognized that the State of Israel has the right to exist, and to enjoy peace and security within internationally agreed borders. Let it be likewise acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely. Let the two-state solution become a reality, not remain a dream. And let peace spread outwards from these lands, let them serve as a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6), bringing hope to the many other regions that are affected by conflict. (May 15, 2009)

Eight months later a two-state solution does not seem any closer. Many express a desire for peace, but what is needed is a commitment to justice that secures peace. The solutions are well known to leaders, but what is needed is political will and courage.

Jerusalem, a city holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, offers a special place where different peoples and different religions could come together in dialogue and respect; sadly it is the volatile core of the conflict. There is a growing distance between Israelis and Palestinians—a lack of human contact that undermines trust and dialogue. Violence, insecurity, home demolitions, permit and visa problems, the route of the wall, expropriation of lands and other policies threaten both a two-state solution and the Christian presence. Furthermore, we encourage the full implementation of the Fundamental Agreement and the facilitation of visas for pastoral workers to enable the Church to fulfill its mission.

The deteriorating situation is not good for Israelis, Palestinians, the region and the world. Through our efforts we hope to focus the eyes of Catholics around the world on what happens here. We call upon the faithful in our nations to pray for the Church in the Holy Land, for a just peace, and for the success of the forthcoming Synod on the Middle East which is important for the whole region and the world.

We encourage our people to learn about the situation and to come on pilgrimage to witness the vibrant faith of the “living stones” of the local Church—the "Fifth Gospel". We urge them to support public officials who take courageous initiatives for a just resolution of the conflict—a two-state solution with security and recognition for Israel, and a viable and independent state for Palestinians. For us, this is not merely about politics; it is an issue of basic human rights.

In the current situation, it is difficult to sustain hope, but as Christians we were all born with Jesus Christ in Bethlehem; we all died and rise to new life in Jerusalem. Despite the wounds of this land, love and hope are alive. Peace with justice is within reach, but political leaders and all people of goodwill need courage to achieve it.

Signatories:

Bishop Stephan Ackermann
Bishop of Trier, President, Commission for Justice and Peace, German Bishops’ Conference

Bishop Peter Bürcher
Bishop of Reykjavik, Nordic Bishops’ Conference

Bishop Michel Dubost
Bishop of Evry, French Bishops’ Conference

Archbishop Riccardo Fontana
Archbishop of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro, Italian Bishops’ Conference

Bishop William Kenney CP
Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England "& Wales
Representative of the Commission of Episcopal Conferences of the European Union

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas
Bishop of Tucson, Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishop Pierre Morissette
Bishop of Saint-Jérôme, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)

Bishop Joan-Enric Vives Sicilia
Bishop of Urgell and Co-Prince of Andorra, Spanish Bishops’ Conference

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Keywords: Holy Land, Israel, Palestine, Bishop Gerald Kicanas, USCCB, peace, two-state solution, Jerusalem