Jerusalem (Fides) – The Franciscans in the Holy Land have decided to offer one hundred Holy Masses for peace in three special Churches, the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Holy Sepulcher Church in Jerusalem. The initiative – Fides was told by Father Giovanni Battistelli, Holy Land Custodian – was prompted by the visit of Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, papal envoy of Pope John Paul II, who is on a “special mission” to try to solve the situation of siege around the Nativity Church compound.
Jerusalem (Fides) – The Franciscans in the Holy Land have decided to offer one hundred Holy Masses for peace in three special Churches, the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Holy Sepulcher Church in Jerusalem. The initiative – Fides was told by Father Giovanni Battistelli, Holy Land Custodian – was prompted by the visit of Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, papal envoy of Pope John Paul II, who is on a “special mission” to try to solve the situation of siege around the Nativity Church compound.
These three Churches were chosen by the Pope for gaining the special indulgence during the Great Jubilee Year 2000. The Masses will be said for the intentions of the Pope, for the repose of the soul of all those killed in the conflict, to comfort the grieving families, and for the intentions of friends and benefactors who have shown solidarity and sympathy in this difficult period in the Holy Land.
On behalf of the Franciscans in the Holy Land, those in Bethlehem in particular, Father Battistelli wishes, though Fides, to thank the many people who sent messages of solidarity and those who are praying for peace in the Holy Land. He entrusts the solution of the dramatic situation at Bethlehem to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Meanwhile shooting continues around the Nativity Church. There was a particularly fierce outbreak of shooting during the night of May 1. A statement issued by the Generalate of the Order of Friars Minor said that the incident caused a fire to break out in the parish offices, housed in the Franciscan monastery. “The Israelis and the Palestinians must respond together to this situation ever more intolerable and dangerous”, the statement says, “A peaceful solution is not only compulsory it is also easy and rapid”. The friars say “the appreciation earned by a gesture of goodwill with regard to the Catholic Church would be far greater than any tactic advantage renounced in the process”.
Father David Jaeger, spokesman for the Holy Land Custody, told Fides of an “interesting” proposal published by Israeli daily Haaretz with regard to the visit in the Holy Land of Cardinal Etchegaray. Haaretz suggests that either of the sides, Israel or Palestine, might want to be the one to offer a “gift” to the Pope by withdrawing from its respective rigid position so as to allow the siege of Bethlehem to be ended. (Fides 2/5/2002)
