Somber Mood Hangs Over Holy Land as Christmas Nears
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 1, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- The mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Nasser, met with John Paul II today and discussed the fragile peace in the Mideast, sources told ZENIT.
With Christmas weeks away, Palestinian-Israeli violence casts a somber mood hangs over the city of Jesus' birth. Thus, John Paul II's dream, that the Holy Land would be a second pole of the solemn Jubilee celebration, has been shattered.
Father Giovanni Battistelli, Franciscan custodian of the Holy Land, told Vatican Radio today, "We are in a state of mind of waiting, waiting for the Messiah, as 2000 years ago. The Gospel says: 'The light came into the world, which lived in darkness.' We are in this state of waiting and suffering so that God, who loves men, will illuminate the people who control the future of this country."
Father Battistelli said he thinks it will be difficult to celebrate Christmas solemnly at the end of this Jubilee. "It will be celebrated solemnly in Rome," he said. "Here, in the Holy Land, there will be no Israeli television, no heads of state, as was the case last year.
"We celebrate Christmas as it was celebrated 2000 years ago, with humility. The patriarch's Mass will take place, and there will be some courageous souls who will come to celebrate the event, but it will be done in silence. It will be very different from last year."
The custodian of the Holy Land revealed that "our convents, shrines and churches have not been affected by the violence; [but] the homes of Christians have been affected."
Regarding pilgrimage groups, Father Battistelli said, "Up until October we had many pilgrims, with an increase of about 50% both here as well as in Mount Nebo, as a result of the Pope's visit. Now, pilgrimages have been totally canceled. Here and there you see a group, but they are really exceptional. The shrines are empty."
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
1. desember 2000