POPE CALLS ON ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO BREAK THE CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE AND SADNESS OF WALL

AsiaNews
May 15 2009
Italy

On the last day of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Benedict XVI
launches an appeal to put an end to the violence and create two free
and secure States. In the Holy Sepulchre, the hope that does not
disappoint bit that comes from the empty tomb. A call for Christian
Unity.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – With a heartfelt plea for an end to 60 years of
conflict and the suffering it has caused to Israelis and Palestinians,
giving birth to two States, Benedict XVI ended his pilgrimage to the
Holy Land. This appeal for peace, in the morning, found its most
profound expression in his visit to the Holy Sepulchre, where he
spoke of the "hope that does not disappoint" offered by Christ’s empty
tomb. "The Gospel – he said – reassures us that God can make all things
new, that history need not be repeated, that memories can be healed,
that the bitter fruits of recrimination and hostility can be overcome,
and that a future of justice, peace, prosperity and cooperation can
arise for every man and woman, for the whole human family, and in
a special way for the people who dwell in this land so dear to the
heart of the Saviour.".

The Pope’s voyage had many objectives, not least the aim of carrying
on dialogue with other Christians confessions. To this end his visit to
the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate, which lies next to the Holy Sepulchre
and to the ancient Armenian patriarchal church of Saint James.

In both meetings, Benedict XVI underlined that importance the
Catholic Church attributes to dialogue and the progress that has
been made "This dialogue, – he underline din his visit to the
Armenians – sustained by prayer, has made progress in overcoming
the burden of past misunderstandings, and offers much promise for
the future". "Standing in this hallowed place, – he had said shortly
before in the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate – alongside the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the site where our crucified Lord
rose from the dead for all humanity, and near the cenacle, where
on the day of Pentecost "they were all together in one place" (Acts
2:1), who could not feel impelled to bring the fullness of goodwill,
sound scholarship and spiritual desire to our ecumenical endeavours?"

"It is imperative therefore – he added – that Christian leaders and
their communities bear vibrant testimony to what our faith proclaims:
the eternal Word, who entered space and time in this land, Jesus of
Nazareth, who walked these streets, through his words and actions
calls people of every age to his life of truth and love".

And the appeal that the Pope made to President Shimon Peres seems
motivated out of truth and affection, when he said as he took his
leave: "I wish to put on record that I came to visit this country as
a friend of the Israelis, just as I am a friend of the Palestinian
people. Friends enjoy spending time in one another’s company, and
they find it deeply distressing to see one another suffer. No friend
of the Israelis and the Palestinians can fail to be saddened by the
continuing tension between your two peoples. No friend can fail to
weep at the suffering and loss of life that both peoples have endured
over the last six decades. Allow me to make this appeal to all the
people of these lands: No more bloodshed! No more fighting! No more
terrorism! No more war! Instead let us break the vicious circle of
violence. Let there be lasting peace based on justice, let there be
genuine reconciliation and healing. Let it be universally recognized
that the State of Israel has the right to exist, and to enjoy peace
and security within internationally agreed borders. Let it be likewise
acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign
independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely. Let
the two-state solution become a reality, not remain a dream. And let
peace spread outwards from these lands, let them serve as a "light
to the nations" (Is 42:6), bringing hope to the many other regions
that are affected by conflict".

His last thoughts are for the sad presence of the Israeli security
barrier: "One of the saddest sights for me during my visit to these
lands was the wall. As I passed alongside it, I prayed for a future
in which the peoples of the Holy Land can live together in peace
and harmony without the need for such instruments of security
and separation, but rather respecting and trusting one another,
and renouncing all forms of violence and aggression. Mr President,
I know how hard it will be to achieve that goal. I know how difficult
is your task, and that of the Palestinian Authority. But I assure
you that my prayers and the prayers of Catholics across the world
are with you as you continue your efforts to build a just and lasting
peace in this region".