wfn.org | Jerusalem Churches Receive U.S. Bishop's Letter

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

Contact:  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, March 15--The Patriarchs and leaders of thirteen historic 
churches in the Holy Land have received with appreciation a message from the 
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The statement, seeking to be even-handed, cited both Israeli and Palestinian 
actions.  Specifically the American bishops said that "Israeli occupation 
cannot be sustained 'militarily or morally' nor can the indiscriminate use of 
force in civilian areas. Palestinian attacks on innocent civilians cannot be 
tolerated."

"Nothing is gained by demonizing one side or the other in this conflict.  The 
human and moral imperative now is for a just peace based on understanding, 
repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation."

They made it clear that "We stand with the Church in the Holy Land."

"We must make clear that attacks on civilians must end, whether they are 
carried out in shopping malls by suicide bombers or in refugee camps by 
military units," the Bishops said.

    The full text of the statement is as follows: 

Statement on Israeli-Palestinian Violence 
Administrative Committee
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
March 13, 2002

The horrible cycle of violence, occupation, and terror in the Middle East 
must be brought to an end.  Every day, more Palestinians and Israelis lose 
their lives, and every day, many more are losing their hopes for a future of 
dignity, security and peace.  

We call on Catholics in this nation to join with us in fervent prayer and 
greater advocacy for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  As 
citizens, we urge our government to use every means to persuade leaders on 
both sides to turn away from actions which permit, incite or employ violence 
and to return to the search for peace based on mutual respect and equal 
justice for Palestinians and Israelis.  Nothing is gained by demonizing one 
side or the other in this conflict.  The human and moral imperative now is 
for a just peace based on understanding, repentance, forgiveness, and 
reconciliation.

It is clearer now than ever before that the status-quo is unacceptable. 
Israeli occupation cannot be sustained "militarily or morally" nor can the 
indiscriminate use of force in civilian areas.  Palestinian attacks on 
innocent civilians cannot be tolerated, both because they are morally 
indefensible and because they undermine the legitimate claims of the 
Palestinian people. This deadly cycle of action and reaction, suicide 
bombing, and aggressive attacks must be ended.

As we said in our statement last June, sustained U.S. leadership, in 
cooperation with others in the international community, is required to 
encourage, persuade and insist that both parties take the steps necessary to 
end the violence, rapidly resolve the differences between them and begin to 
live in peace together. 

We must make clear that attacks on civilians must end, whether they are 
carried out in shopping malls by suicide bombers or in refugee camps by 
military units. 

We must insist that the parties embrace an immediate cease-fire and return to 
the arduous task of negotiating a just peace, without delay or 
pre-conditions. Only negotiation can lead to an end to violence and 
occupation, a secure state for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians.  

We hope the return to the region of General Anthony Zinni, the encouraging 
proposals from Saudi Arabia, and elements of the Mitchell and Tenet reports 
can provide the basis for new and urgent diplomatic efforts to replace bloody 
conflict with serious dialogue based in respect for relevant UN resolutions, 
such as that just approved by the Security Council, and other provisions of 
international law.  

Real peace and security will not come from terror or tanks, but only from a 
determination to find the ways for both Israelis and Palestinians to live 
together with dignity, justice and peace.

We stand with the Church in the Holy Land, which has not escaped the 
violence, as evidenced by the damage inflicted on Bethlehem University, St. 
Joseph's School, the Creche maternity clinic and other church institutions. 

We join with leaders of the Christian community in the Holy Land in their 
haunting question: "Is this the future that we all want for our children?"  
We share their conviction that "the key to a just peace is in the hands of 
both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority.  War, shelling, 
and destruction will not bring justice and security; rather, it will 
intensify hatred and bitterness."  We share their belief "that Israeli and 
Palestinian peoples are called to be partners in an historic peace."

Speaking out of the tragic circumstances of this ongoing conflict, the 
Christian leaders of the Holy Land have said: "Our prayers for peace are more 
urgently needed than ever."  May Catholics throughout this nation join us in 
imploring God for justice, peace and reconciliation in the land we call 
"holy."

May we heed the words of the Psalmist: "I will hear what God proclaims; for 
He proclaims peace to his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who 
put in Him their hope" (Ps 85, 9).
  
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