PBS stations will be broadcasting a speical report from the Holy Land to more than 200 PBS stations nationawide.

PBS stations will be broadcasting a speical report from the Holy Land to more than 200 PBS stations nationawide the report will include interviews with Fr. Emil Salayta, Bishop Munib Younan, and Rev. Chacour according to the following schedule:

In Washington, DC:
Sundays 11:30 AM on WMPT channel 22
Sundays 12:30 PM on WETA  channel 26

In Chicago:
Sundays 11:30 AM on WTTW
Mondays 9:30 PM on WYCC
In San Francisco:

Saturdays 11:00 AM on KRCB
Sundays 10:00 AM on KRCB
Sundays 2:00 PM on KQED

In Los Angeles:
Sundays 5:30 AM on KLCS
Sundays 6:30 AM on KOCE
Sundays 10:00 AM on KCET
Sundays 5:00 PM on KVCR

In New York:
Saturdays 10:30 AM on WNET
Sundays 6:00 PM on WNET
Sundays 11:30 PM on WEDW

In Houston:
Sundays 4:00 PM on KUHT

“RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY” OFFERS SERIES OF SPECIAL REPORTS EXAMINING THE HOLY LAND ON EVE OF THIRD MILLENNIUM
Correspondent Kim Lawton Reports from Israel and the West Bank

Washington, D.C.  As millions around the world prepare to celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the beginning of Christianity, the critically acclaimed news magazine program RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY will feature a series of special reports examining the Holy Land on the eve of the third millennium.  In addition, the series will look at the impact millennial events will have on sacred sites in this area marked by religious devotion, economic hardship and ongoing conflict.  The special reports, filed by correspondent Kim Lawton, will be broadcast in upcoming programs scheduled to be distributed December 17, 24, 31 and January 7 at 5 p.m. ET to more than 200 PBS stations nationwide.

On December 17, in the program’s “Cover Story,” Lawton will explore the dramatic decline of the number of Christians living in the Holy Land.

At the beginning of the century more than 20 percent of the population was Christian.  Today, it is less than two percent.  The exodus of Christians from the Promised Land is deeply intertwined with the complex politics of the region:  Muslims and Christians alike claim that the Israeli policies have created social, political and economic hardships that are difficult to overcome.  According to Reverend Mitri Raheb of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, “We don?t want the Holy Land to become just a Christian theme park or a Christian Walt ?Disneyland? with lots of old churches.”

The following week, Lawton will look beyond the idealized notion of the “little town of Bethlehem” to the reality that many visitors encounter on their pilgrimage there.  Then, on the December 31st program, her report will examine the controversies surrounding Israel’s plans for welcoming the millions of pilgrims expected to visit during the millennium.  The final segment in the series, scheduled for January 7, will show how Jerusalem particularly the site that includes the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall is vitally important to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, both in their religious identity and in their theologies.

RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY is produced by Thirteen/WNET New York. Funding is provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. with additional support from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Fund. Executive editor and host is Bob Abernethy.  Executive producer is Arnold Labaton.  WNET executive in charge is Stephen Segaller.

For more information www.pbs.org