ROME, Apr. 5, 01 (CWNews.com/Fides) - The Custos of the Holy Land, Franciscan Father Giovanni Battistelli, sent an urgent letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calling on him to interrupt "without further delay" the building of a mosque in Nazareth, on the door step of the Church of the Annunciation.
Fides has just received a copy of the letter which below. In his appeal the Custos points out that since the church in question in practically "under siege," the Israeli government could be said to no longer "guarantee access to Holy Places."
It was the Israeli government that took the "ill-fated decision to bow to the extremist elements," he says. Yesterday was the deadline for presenting building plans for the mosque in question. The government has two projects from which to choose and give permission to go ahead. The Custos recalls that the site chosen for the mosque was occupied illegally by Muslim extremists who then obtained it from the government, while the Nazareth authorities had already destined it to be a public square necessary for the flow of thousands of Christian pilgrims.
The letter also mentions the opposition to the plan voiced from Christians, Muslims, and Jews worldwide, and even from US President George W. Bush, but to no avail. Heeding the call, Father Battistelli tells the prime minister, is the only way to "prevent a serious danger to Israel's relations with the Christian world" and to "help rebuild trust with Christian believers in Israel itself."
Here is the text of the letter sent by the Custodia:
Your Excellency,
Concerned at insistent rumors that plans are well advanced for building a mosque in the space in front of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, we are addressing to you this urgent appeal to bring about without further delay the repeal of the Government's ill-fated decision to bow to the extremist elements who demanded this unlikely project. Any further delay in revoking the Government's decision risks exacerbating avoidable tensions and increasing the damage already caused to the fabric of our relations. Mr. Prime Minister, we take the liberty of calling your attention to the previous communications addressed to the Government of Israel on this matter, and of likewise calling your attention to the overwhelming opposition to this project on the part of the Christian Churches throughout the world, as well as on the part of responsible Jewish leaders, as well as responsible Muslims leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere. Apart from anything else, we must point out that the holy Shrine of the foundational event of the Christian religion is virtually under siege, in terms of access, and that to give any real meaning in this case to the guarantee of free access to the Holy Places, the public space in question, which is state-owned land, must be made to serve its original purpose (as defined before the shameful capitulation to a group of extremist law-breakers).
As you will easily understand, if-- God forbid-- this particular mosque were ever built, it would inevitably be (as its illegal precursor has been and is) a perpetual source of extreme tension between Christians and Muslims, and of unending vexation for the Franciscan Friars and for the Christian pilgrims.
Mr. Prime Minister, we are aware of media reports... that most recently you have been approached on the subject by H. E. The President of the United States of America. By giving heed to our appeal you will prevent a serious danger to Israel's relations with the Christian world, strike a blow for justice, fairness, and the rule of law, and help rebuild trust with Christian believers in Israel itself.
Anxiously awaiting such action by your Government, we take this occasion to renew to you, dear Mr. Prime Minster, the assurances of our highest consideration, even as I remain,
Yours sincerely
(The Most Rev. Father ) Giovanni Battistelli, O.F.M. The Custos of the Holy Land
Catholic World News - Feature
5. april 2001