(Jerusalem) Faced with the “dramatic change” that is taking place in the Middle Eastern region, “the religious leaders cannot just stop and stare, but must work to build bridges and unite what the walls divide”. This was said by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, to the bishops of the Holy Land coordination (Hlc), which brings together the bishops of North America and the EU for the Holy Land, that, in Jerusalem today (until 12th), have officially opened their pastoral visit, which has been held every year, in this period, since 1998. “Challenges, conflicts, tensions take place every day – the Patriarch stated –, the prospect of a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis seems to be distant as do the two parties concerned. On our part – he added –, in a joint statement the leaders of the Christian Churches of the Holy Land have reiterated the position, which is shared by the Vatican, of seeing two States for two populations”. Then, Twal spoke of the rise in the number of Christians in the Holy Land, despite their migration. A number that has been increased by Catholic migrant workers and asylum seekers.
Figures are significant: “in Israel there are at least 220 thousand Filipinos, Thais, Indians, Sri Lankans, Latin Americans and Eastern Europeans and 30 thousand asylum seekers”, most of whom are from Africa. Add to them about one million Russian emigrants, with 315 thousand of them officially defined as non-Jewish, with 10% Christians”. For them, and especially for women, the Patriarch pointed out, the Church of the Holy Land “is committed to provide spiritual and material support”. “Concern” has been expressed for migrants’ children as well: “we are committed to make them retain their Catholic identity, since they are part of Israeli society through schooling”. Another emergency drawn by the Patriarch to the attention of the bishops of Hlc, who come from Canada, Usa, France, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, the Scandinavian countries and Germany, was “the housing crisis. The lack of houses in the Holy Land is the first reason why our young Christians have to migrate”. A response to this housing crisis is the ‘housing’ project in Beit Safafal, where 40 new flats will be delivered to as many families in March. Finally, in Gaza, “a similar house renovation and restoration project has been started. The houses have already been renovated, another 65 have been planned and will be allocated to Christian families”.

© www.agensir.it - jenuary 9th 2012