JERUSALEM, Dec 18, 02 (CWNews.com) - Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem has issued a call for international leadgers to «apply their decisions» in the Middle East, to further the peace process there.
The Latin Catholic patriarch also reported that Christians «will celebrate Christmas, regardless» of the tensions that persist in the Holy Land. He said that Christians will observe the feast «in faith and prayer, even if our hearts are heavy.»
In an interview heard on Vatican Radio, Patriarch Sabbah said: «Since the Israeli occupation began in 1967, we have celebrated the birth of Christ each year in a situation of violence.» This year the situation is particularly difficult, he said, because of the heavy Israeli troop presence around Bethlehem and the curfews in surrounding Palestinian towns.
The Palestinian prelate questioned whether international leaders «have the courage to intervene, to put an end to the bloodshed that stains the Holy Land.» He said that international leaders have «talked, consulted, decided,» but stopped short of enforcing their decisions on the Middle East conflict.
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18. desember 2002