wfn.org | Patriarch Prevented by Soldiers from Saying Mass

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For More Information: Robert Younes, M.D.,
Holyland Christian Ecumenical Foundation
(301) 983 3022, 
Toll Free 866-871-HCEF 
Email: ryounes@hcef.org

Fr. Raed Awad Abusahlia
P.O.Box 14152  Jerusalem  91141
Tel.  (972 2) 628.2323 / 627.2280
Fax  (972 2) 627.1652
Personal E-mail: nonviolence@writeme.com
Latin Patriarchate E-mail: Latinpat@actcom.co.il
Latin Patriarchate's Homepage: http://www.Lpj.org
"Nonviolence Homepage": http://go.to/nonviolence

    JERUSALEM,  9 March 2001--Israeli soldiers this afternoon blocked the 
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, from entering a 
village near Ramallah where he was to make a pastoral visit and say Mass.

    The soldiers were located at the checkpoint on the entrance to the 
Village of Ein Arik near Ramallah.  They blocked the Patriarch's passage 
despite   learning his identity and studying his Holy See [Vatican] 
Diplomatic passport and a VIP Card provided by the Israeli Ministry of 
Religious Affairs. 

    The Patriarch, who was accompanied by the parish priests of Ramallah, was 
planning to celebrate Mass at the Parish Church of Ein Arik this evening. 

    The Israeli soldiers at the check point refused even to listen to 
explanations provided by Father Giovanni Cinti Parish, priest of Ein Arik, 
but obliged him to sit on the floor for sometime before releasing him. 

    Patriarch Sabbah yesterday also failed to enter the village of Bir Zeit  
north of Ramallah, in order to celebrate Mass, since the village was isolated 
by Israeli Army from all its surroundings. 

    The Patriarchate considers this incident a clear violation not only to 
diplomatic relations and agreements between the Holy See and the State of 
Israel, but a clear violation of the basic human rights of freedom of 
movement.

    Church officials asked if such incidents happen to a senior clergyman, 
what is the daily life like for regular Palestinian citizens. 

    The officials appealed to the international community to press the State 
of Israel to end the current siege and closure of almost all the Palestinian 
villages and towns.  Villages are cut off from one another  cutting it one 
from another making  each "a real small prisons in a very big prison."   
This, they said, is not legally, morally and humanly acceptable.

    In a written statement, the church officials said,  "We are sure that 
this policy of collective punishment will not lead to justice and peace, will 
not end violence they produce nothing tangible for Israel or Israelis.  They 
also do not increase security nor hasten the possibility of a negotiated 
settlement.  Justice and only justice is the only solution for a real peace 
and security.   

    "We repeat and call upon all of our friends all over the world to make 
their voices heard to exert the utmost pressure upon their governments and 
the government of Israel to stop these illegal measures of collective 
punishment.  Otherwise, we will face the brink of disaster."

    The statement was signed by Fr. Raed Abusahlia , Chancellor of the Latin 
Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

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