Jerusalem church leader hails prospects for peace
-23/12/05
Christians in the Israel a
Jerusalem church leader hails prospects for peace
-23/12/05
Christians in the Israel and Palestine see new signs of hope this Christmas, according to the Latin Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem.
And he urges all people of faith to work to ensure that what is often called ëthe Holy Landí truly lives up to its name.
In his annual Christmas message, Patriarch Michel Sabbah writes, ìOur Holy Land thirsts to recover its peace and holiness.î But the Catholic leader sees promising new attitudes on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He says: ìThe present Palestinian position asking for rights through ways of non-violence and peace means that peace and justice are possible. Also on the Israeli side we have seen signs and heard expressions indicating a new vision and a new decision.î
The Patriarch exhorts political leaders to seize the initiative, and be ìbuilders of life, not of death.î He argues that ìdemolitions, death, and fighting bring only demolitions, death, and more fighting,î and that any delays in the peace process increase the likelihood of new violence.
Palestinians and Israelis alike should realize, Patriarch Sabbah says, that ìGod did not create you to fear or kill each other, but to love one another, to build and work together.î
Jerusalem church leader hails prospects for peace
-23/12/05
Christians in the Israel and Palestine see new signs of hope this Christmas, according to the Latin Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem.
And he urges all people of faith to work to ensure that what is often called ëthe Holy Land’ truly lives up to its name.
In his annual Christmas message, Patriarch Michel Sabbah writes, ‘Our Holy Land thirsts to recover its peace and holiness.’ But the Catholic leader sees promising new attitudes on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He says: ‘The present Palestinian position asking for rights through ways of non-violence and peace means that peace and justice are possible. Also on the Israeli side we have seen signs and heard expressions indicating a new vision and a new decision.’
The Patriarch exhorts political leaders to seize the initiative, and be ‘builders of life, not of death.’ He argues that ‘demolitions, death, and fighting bring only demolitions, death, and more fighting,’ and that any delays in the peace process increase the likelihood of new violence.
Palestinians and Israelis alike should realize, Patriarch Sabbah says, that ‘God did not create you to fear or kill each other, but to love one another, to build and work together.’