Jerusalem (Asianews) His Beatitude, Msgr. Michel Sabbah, the Latin rite Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, harshly criticized the Wall's construction and Israel's restrictive measures placed on travel to Bethlehem.
After celebrating mass at the Gaza Strip's Holy Family Church, the patriarch addressed journalists, making an appeal to Israeli authorities: "If you believe in God and in the sanctity of the earth, then you have taken the wrong path. War will not bring about peace. The solution to all our problems can occur only by means of dialog and respect for human dignity."
Msgr. Sabbah commented on Israel's prohibiting Arafat to attend Christmas mass in Bethlehem. "This Israeli measure is mistaken and goes beyond the limits of any (worldly) power; prayer should not form part of any political or military restrictions," he said.
The patriarch also criticized Israel for its construction of the Wall. "To continue raising this wall will not bring security to Israel; on the contrary, it will lead to war and instil hatred."
Reflecting on the Wall's significance, he added that "the true partition is found in our hearts, not on earth." And echoing the pontiff's words, he said it is "necessary build bridges, not walls."
Msgr. Sabbah then denied the news, which appeared in some Israeli dailies, that the Latin rite Catholic Church had asked Israeli authorities to have Church properties fall inside the walls. "Rather, we expressed our fear that Church properties be divided in two parts, half here and half on the other side of the Wall," he explained.
Following the mass, a party was thrown with Holy Family Christian School children in attendance, who performed traditional dances and a play. Msgr. Sabbah also exchanged Christmas greetings with Muslim and Christian political and religious leaders.
On this occasion, the patriarch received ,000 donation from Palestine Bank Ltd. to complete the building of the Holy Family school library.(PB)