USCCB, Other Episcopal Conferences Call for the Courage to Achieve Peace in the Holy Land
USCCB, Other Episcopal Conferences Call for the Courage to Achieve Peace in the Holy Land
WASHINGTON—Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined with Catholic bishops from Europe and Canada in issuing a communiqué called “The Courage to Achieve Peace in the Holy Land” on behalf of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land. This communiqué was issued at a January 14 press conference at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, at the end of the Coordination’s tenth annual visit to the Holy Land.
In the communiqué, the bishops said: “We urge all people to support public officials who take courageous initiatives for a just resolution of the conflict—a two-state solution with security and recognition for Israel, and a viable and independent state for Palestinians. For us, this is not merely about politics; it is an issue of basic human rights.”
One issue that was brought to the fore has been the growing distance between Israelis and Palestinians where a lack of human contact undermines trust and dialogue. In visits to parishes across the West Bank, Bethlehem University, the seminary at Beit Sahour the bishops heard the stories of everyday life. There were also presentations from Israeli, Palestinian and international commentators about the current situation. Despite the lack of progress in securing a two-state solution for all, the bishops believe progress is possible with determination and international support.
The Holy Land Coordination represents Catholic bishops’ conferences of Europe and North America. It was formed in Jerusalem in 1998 at the request of the Holy See. The bishops meet with Church leaders in the Holy Land every year and through prayer, encouraging pilgrimage and political persuasion seek to demonstrate solidarity with the local Church in the difficult socio-political climate. This year the focus was on the crucial situation in East Jerusalem of property confiscations and evictions.