VATICAN CITY - 13 May 2008 - 275 words
Pope
receives new Israeli Ambassador
Yesterday the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of
Mordechay Lewy, the new ambassador of Israel to the Holy See.
Addressing the diplomat in English, Benedict XVI expressed his
"cordial good wishes on the occasion of Israel's celebration
of 60 years of statehood. The Holy See joins you in giving thanks
to the Lord that the aspirations of the Jewish people for a home
in the land of their fathers have been fulfilled, and hopes soon
to see a time of even greater rejoicing when a just peace finally
resolves the conflict with the Palestinians".
The Pope also highlighted areas of mutual interest shared by the
Holy See and the State of Israel, highlighting how "Judeo-Christian
heritage should inspire us to take a lead in promoting many forms
of social and humanitarian action throughout the world, not least
by combating all forms of racial discrimination". He also
referred to "the cultural and academic exchanges that are
taking place between Catholic institutions worldwide and those
of the Holy Land" and recalled how dialogue between Jews
and Christians "is bearing much fruit and needs to be continued
with commitment and generosity.
"The holy cities of Rome and Jerusalem", he added, "represent
a source of faith and wisdom of central importance for Western
civilization, and in consequence, the links between Israel and
the Holy See have deeper resonances than those which arise formally
from the juridical dimension of our relations".
Turning to consider the question of "the alarming decline
in the Christian population of the Middle East, including Israel,
through emigration" the Holy Father observed that "of
course Christians are not alone in suffering the effects of insecurity
and violence as a result of the various conflicts in the region,
but in many respects they are particularly vulnerable at the present
time".
Invoking the "the growing friendship between Israel and the
Holy See", Benedict XVI expressed the hope that "ways
will be found of reassuring the Christian community, so that they
can experience the hope of a secure and peaceful future in their
ancestral homelands, without feeling under pressure to move to
other parts of the world in order to build new lives.
"Christians in the Holy Land have long enjoyed good relations
with both Muslims and Jews. Their presence in your country, and
the free exercise of the Church's life and mission there, have
the potential to contribute significantly to healing the divisions
between the two communities".
"I do realise that the difficulties experienced by Christians
in the Holy Land are also related to the continuing tension between
Jewish and Palestinian communities. The Holy See recognizes Israel's
legitimate need for security and self-defence and strongly condemns
all forms of anti-Semitism. It also maintains that all peoples
have a right to be given equal opportunities to flourish. Accordingly,
I would urge your Government to make every effort to alleviate
the hardship suffered by the Palestinian community, allowing them
the freedom necessary to go about their legitimate business, including
travel to places of worship, so that they too can enjoy greater
peace and security.
" Clearly, these matters can only be addressed within the
wider context of the Middle East peace process", said the
Pope and, recalling the recent negotiations at Annapolis, indicated
that the Holy See "prays that the hopes and expectations
raised there will not be disappointed. ... When all the people
of the Holy Land live in peace and harmony, in two independent
sovereign states side by side, the benefit for world peace will
be inestimable, and Israel will truly serve as 'light to the nations',
a shining example of conflict resolution for the rest of the world
to follow".
Pope Benedict also mentioned negotiations on economic and fiscal
matters between the Holy See and Israel. "I know that I speak
on behalf of many when I express the hope that these agreements
may soon be integrated into the Israeli internal legal system
and so provide a lasting basis for fruitful co-operation",
he said.
Finally, referring to the situation of Christians in the Holy
Land and "the difficulties caused by continuing uncertainties
over their legal rights and status, especially with regard to
the question of visas for church personnel", he concluded:
"Only when these difficulties are overcome, will the Church
be able to carry out freely her religious, moral, educational
and charitable works in the land where she came to birth".
Source: VIS
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