wfn.org | Attacks on Holy Sites Opposed by Canadian Orthodox Church

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Contact:  Fr. Raed Awad Abusahlia
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     JERUSALEM, March 20--The Archpriest of an Antiochian Orthodox parish in 
Montreal, Canada, has blamed Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for 
"disrespect to our Christian Holy Shrines" in Bethlehem.

    Orthodox Christian churches in the Holy Land are the largest part of the 
Christian community here.

    Father Antony Gabriel of  St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 
Montreal, Quebec, addressed his complaint letter to U.S. President George 
Bush as Israeli tanks reached the heart of Bethlehem, where according to 
tradition, Jesus was born two thousand years ago.

    He cited as "unjustifiable" an attack on a statue of  the Holy Virgin 
Mary located on top of the Holy Family Hospital Chapel in Bethlehem.

    Christians and church leaders here, expressing distress and anxiety as 
the overwhelming military power of Israel swept through Palestinian areas, 
called upon their co-religionists in other countries for support.  Father 
Gabriel was one who responded quickly.

    The full text of his letter to President Bush is as follows:

ST. GEORGE ANTOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 
555 - 575 Jean Talon East
Montreal, Quebec,  Canada, H4R 1T8 
TEL.: (514) 276-8533 
________________________________________ 

Montreal, March 15, 2002 

Mr. George W. Bush
President of the United States
Washington D.C.

Dear Mr. President,

Re: Attacks against Christian Holy Shrines

No one was expecting to see the escalating violence in the occupied 
Palestinian Territories to reach one of the holiest places in Christendom. 

This kind of disrespect to our Christian Holy Shrines by the Israeli defence 
forces and ultimately their leader Ariel Sharon whose forces were within 500 
yards from the Manger Square of the Church of Nativity, is an alarming signal 
to worldwide Christianity and Christian leaders.  

Israel appears to have added a new target to its ever-growing list of symbols 
to be attacked and destroyed in its current unjustified war against the 
Palestinians, who are resisting occupation and struggling for their freedom 
and independent statehood.

The statue of the Holy Virgin Mary located on top of the Holy Family 
Hospital Chapel in Bethlehem was unjustifiably attacked and there is no 
justification for such racist, discriminatory hate crimes such as this.

Therefore I urge you and the R.H. Jean Chritien, Prime Minister of Canada, to 
strongly condemn this kind of atrocities and disrespect to Christian shrines 
and other religious sites, before things get out of hand and eventually 
Christianity becomes threatened from its entire existence in the Holy Land. 

[Such action by Israel] will definitely create a very tense situation, and 
worldwide.  Christian outrage and condemnation that could have negative 
consequences and undesired effects on the overall policy being adopted by the 
Israeli government in the Holy Land of Palestine. 

I also wish to remind you Mr. President, of your personal initiative that an 
Independent Palestinian State must be established with recognized borders, 
including a reminder that all related UN resolutions must be implemented as 
well, starting with 194, endorsed by the UN and the International Human 
Rights Organization. 

Moreover the offer presented by Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia for a 
comprehensive peace in the Middle East region, and the 
complete withdrawal of Israel to the 1967 boarder and land for peace should 
be seriously considered and implemented.

I conclude by praying to the Almighty God to guide you in your path towards 
justice and peace in the Holy Land of Palestine and Jerusalem.

Respectfully,

Archpriest Antony Gabriel
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Montreal, Quebec

Cc:  Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba, Primate
Antochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
       The R.H. Jean Chritien, Prime Minister of Canada.

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