Former Custodian of Holy Land Views Chances for Peace
ROME, DEC. 5, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- Amid the seemingly constant Israeli-Palestinian strife in the Middle East, there is an often silent presence: that of the region's Christian and Catholic ecclesial communities.
What is the impression of Israeli and Palestinian Christians at this troubled moment? What role does the Church have in the resolution of this crisis? Father Ignazio Mancini, former Custodian of the Holy Land, and at present delegate of the Franciscan Custody in Italy, spoke about these issues over Vatican Radio.
--Q: First of all, what is the state of mind of Catholics in the Holy Land?
--Father Mancini: There is widespread unrest, real unrest not just in the small Franciscan community, but in the whole Christian realm. This time, the crisis is lasting too long, compared to previous conflicts; when difficulties are prolonged, communities and groups, especially the Christian, which is the weakest and least protected, resent the effects terribly.
--Q: Is there dialogue at present between the local Church and the Palestinian authorities and Israeli government?
--Father Mancini: Yes, it exists, but not at the national or international levels. There is also dialogue between the Vatican and the Israelis and Palestinians. As local communities, we offer our suggestions, and also our complaints, to the Vatican secretariat of state, so that it can pass them on or use them as it thinks best.
--Q: Therefore, we can say that there are not many contacts at the level of the local Church with the authorities involved in the crisis.
--Father Mancini: Not quite. Israel has a department dedicated to religious communities, to Christian communities. So it has employees whose job is to resolve these questions, and it is there, in that office, where we have permanent contacts.
--Q: Is it possible to perceive peace at the end of this dark tunnel, which with the passing days seems to be turning into a real war?
--Father Mancini: Making a meteorological comparison, I would say that there never are calm, stable skies in the Holy Land. The weather is always variable and this time, not only is it variable but worsened by a storm. Hope is always the last to die, so, of course, the parties will have to come to an agreement: the Palestinians in order to begin to live, and the Israelis to be able to live in peace. Both sides will have to deny themselves something, and not be obstinate.
--Q: Therefore, the Catholic and Franciscan community in the Holy Land is convinced that there is no hope for peace without dialogue?
--Father Mancini: Dialogue is necessary. There are 5 million Israelis and they are well armed, but they cannot have peace because they are surrounded by Arab countries. Therefore, they must sit at a table, even if the negotiation is difficult. I believe from experience, that even when they have signed an agreement on paper, there will still not be a real, stable peace.
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
5. desember 2000