Peace in the Holy Land

Catholic Bishops of the 10th Holy Land Co-ordination today urged political leaders and people of goodwill to be courageous in seeking a just peace in the Holy Land. The Holy Land Co-ordination represents Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Europe and North America. It was formed in Jerusalem in 1998 at the request of the Holy See. The Bishops meet with the Ordinaries of the Holy Land every year and through prayer, encouraging pilgrimage and political persuasion seek to demonstrate solidarity with the local Church in the difficult socio-political climate. This year the focus was on the crucial situation in East Jerusalem: property confiscations and evictions. In the final communiqué, the Bishops said: “We urge all people to support public officials who take courageous initiatives for a just resolution of the conflict—a two-state solution with security and recognition for Israel, and a viable and independent state for Palestinians.  For us, this is not merely about politics; it is an issue of basic human rights.” One issue that was brought to the fore has been the growing distance between Israelis and Palestinians where a lack of human contact undermines trust and dialogue. In visits to parishes across the West Bank, Bethlehem University, the seminary at Beit Sahour the Bishops heard the stories of everyday life. There were also presentations from Israeli, Palestinian and international commentators about the current situation. Despite the lack of progress in securing a two-state solution for all, the Bishops believe progress is possible with determination and international support. “Despite the wounds of this land, love and hope are alive.  Peace with justice is within reach, but political leaders and all people of goodwill need courage to achieve it.”

Climate change

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) have sent today a joint letter to the Churches of Europe on “Churches responding to climate change”, in view of the United Nations’ Climate Conference to be held in Copenhagen from 7-18 December 2009.  “Climate change is an issue for each one of us. It affects the life of the whole planet. The earth and all its ecosystems are a precious gift which we have received from God”, the letter states. It goes on encouraging “Churches and Christians in Europe to take appropriate action to address the challenge of climate change in the weeks to come” and suggesting some concrete steps, such as approaching their respective governments, taking part in initiatives for saving energy, sharing of initiatives and good practices “leading to the care of creation, as emphasised and recommended in the outcomes of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly in 2007 in Sibiu (Romania)”.
La Conferenza europea delle Chiese (CEC) e il Consiglio delle Conferenze episcopali d’Europa (CCEE) hanno spedito oggi una lettera congiunta alle Chiese in Europa su “Le Chiese rispondono al cambiamento climatico”, in vista della Conferenza sul Clima delle Nazioni Unite che si svolgerà a Copenhagen dal 7 al 18 dicembre 2009.
“Il cambiamento climatico rappresenta un problema per ognuno di noi. Investe la vita dell’intero pianeta. La terra e tutti i suoi ecosistemi costituiscono un dono prezioso che abbiamo ricevuto da Dio”, la lettera afferma. E prosegue nell’incoraggiare “le Chiese e i cristiani in Europa ad intraprendere azioni appropriate per affrontare la sfida del cambiamento climatico nelle prossime settimane” e suggerendo alcuni passi concreti, quali: entrare in dialogo con i propri rispettivi governi, prendendo parte ad iniziative per il risparmio energia, e condividendo iniziative e buone pratiche “per la salvaguardia della creazione, così come sottolineato e raccomandato negli esiti della III Assemblea Ecumenica Europea di Sibiu (Romania) nel 2007”. Il testo completo della lettera congiunta è allegata in quattro lingue (Francese, Inglese, Italiano e Tedesco). E’ possibile scaricare i testi sul site: http://www.ccee.ch