English Wall

“There are difficulties which we'll try to overcome”: nuncio in Israel and papal delegate for Jerusalem and Palestine, Msgr. Antonio Franco thus commented to SIR on the visa restrictions for priests and religious imposed by the Home Office of Israel. “Once visas were issued for two years, for European people, too, but now they are issued for just one year”, said Franco, letting anyone understand these restrictions might cause problems to the development of the ordinary pastoral work of the Church. In the past, all visas had even been suspended, while the Home Office was led by the religious party, Shas, like now. “It is a fact – stated the nuncio –. Now we must wonder why these restrictions are imposed, and what one can do to go back to earlier practice, which was more open”. However, stated Msgr. Franco, “the current negotiations between Israel and the Holy See on the Fundamental Agreement are not about visas for religious. We shall have to discuss this issue, in order to reach a better agreement; however, no results have been obtained until now”. “As for the Fundamental Agreement – concluded the Vatican diplomat, – another meeting took place on October 29th. Works are going on, and are scheduled until the plenary assembly on December 10th. The atmosphere is that of a difficult work”.

© SIR - nov 2th, 2009