An interview with Card. Stephanos II Ghattas, patriarch of Egypt's Coptic Catholic Church.
Cairo (AsiaNews) Some days ago the first meeting occurred between the Catholic Church and Egypt's Orthodox Churches. Representing Catholics was Card. Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. During the meetings, the Coptic Orthodox pope, Shenouda III, appeared briefly to share his greetings. Church leaders agreed to make an appointment to meet again in Rome next Jan. 25 2005. Meanwhile, Christian Churches in Egypt are persecuted, sometimes in subtle or violent ways. In order to have an idea of the ecumenicalism and missionary work-martyrdom experienced by these Churches, "Mondo e Missione" interviewed Card. Stephanos II Ghattas, patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church of Egypt (see. Feb. 2004 issue).
Today we will offer an update on violence used against Christians on www.asianews.it .The pope receives the credentials of the ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
Message of His Holiness John Paul II for Lent 2004
The Pope's Message for the 38th World Day of Social Communication
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Early this morning about 40 Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles entered the Rafah refugee camp, near the Gaza Strip, killing 3 and leaving 20 persons wounded. The Israeli army specified that the raid is part of the military operation to search out and destroy the tunnel from Egypt to Gaza used to funnel in weapons. Yesterday, during a clash in Gaza, a grenade exploded on a group of Israel soldiers, killing 2 of them. Meanwhile Egypt's minister of foreign affairs, Ahmed Maher, recently back in Cairo after being wounded in an attack at the Al Aqsa mosque, said the incident: "will have no impact on the essence of Egyptian policy We are working to make sure Palestinians earn their rights back." Upon exiting the mosque yesterday, Maher was attacked by demonstrators belonging to the radical Islamic group, Islamic Liberation Front.
News of these events pays testimony to the desire for peace that exists in the Holy Land. In a survey published in yesterday's Jerusalem Post, Palestinian support of violence used against soldiers and settlers in the occupied territory is 87%. But even if there is large support for violence, around 83% are in favor of a mutual cease to violence and 73% believe that continued violence only hinders a return to peace negotiations.
Confusion abounds even in the Israeli camp. Yesterday Tsahal soldiers (the Israeli army) were condemned in Haifa for refusing to fight against Palestinians. Desertion and refusal to fight have become ever more commonplace among soldiers and military officers, despite being considered "patriots" and lovers of Israel.
Given the entangled web of sentiments and choices and bitter stagnation enveloping the region, we asked Msgr. Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, to offer some clues on how to build peace and hope in the Holy Land.
