Franciscans: make Christmas in Bethlehem a festival of hope!

Bonn, Germany 19. 12. 2002 (PROTEXT/ots) - In a statement onthe tense situation in Bethlehem, the brothers of the Franciscanorder in the Holy Land have pointed out that both Israelis andPalestinians have guaranteed in international treaties andagreements that the Christmas festivities in Bethlehem will beable to go ahead freely and without restriction. Theirstatement calls on all parties, organizations, authorities, armyand police units in the Bethlehem area to ensure that theChristmas festivities can take place in a peaceful atmosphereand be a festival of hope for the Bethlehem region and the entireHoly Land.

Bethlehem has particular significance for Christians, say theFranciscans. Both parties to the conflict are aware of this.Therefore, they are full of hope and wish for the festivities toproceed without "fear and restrictions". Amid the violentconflict with all its bitter consequences of death anddestruction, and bearing in mind the traumatic events at theChurch of the Nativity this Spring, the feast of Christmasshould be a lasting and powerful symbol that peace is possibleand, with goodwill on both sides, can be achieved. The President of the Franciscan Mission Centre, Father HelmutSchlegel OFM, today referred in Bonn once again to the dramaticsituation in the town where Jesus was born: "The curfew preventspeople from practising their religion at this time that is soimportant to Christians. Our fellow brothers at the Church ofthe Nativity in Bethlehem cannot provide their pastoral care!"Father Helmut pointed out that approximately 30% of thepopulation of Bethlehem belong to the Christian faith. Muslimswere also subject to massive restrictions in recent days whencelebrating Ramadan. The representative of the North GermanFranciscans for the Holy Land, Father Werner Mertens OFM,believes that the restrictions will be tightened still furtherfor Christmas: "The rumour that Al Quaida fighters were presentin the Palestinian territories leads people to fear the worst".Father Werner called on those in positions of responsibility inpolitics and society not to forget Bethlehem: "In the Christmasperiod, all of Christianity looks to the Stable in Bethlehem.This year, our thoughts should not only turn to the events ofthat time, but we must also be aware that every day in thebirthplace of the Prince of Peace, civil rights are beinginfringed". In view of the continuing conflict in the Palestinianterritories, the President of the Franciscan Mission Centre, Fr.Helmut Schlegel and the Representative for the Holy Land, Fr.Werner Mertens express their support to the Franciscans inBethlehem, and call for Christmas in Bethlehem to be allowed tobe celebrated without restrictions. They ask that, despite therecurring events in the Holy Land, people should not tire ofexpressing their solidarity and making a clear protest.

ots Original Text Service: Franciscan Mission CentreInternet: http://www.presseportal.de

This statement was issued by: Franciscan Mission CentreAlbertus-Magnus-Str. 39 53177 Bonn Tel.: 0228-95354-0 Fax: 0228-95354-40 eMail: post@missionszentrale.de

Contact for further information or questions: P. WernerMertens OFM Kommissariat des Heiligen Landes Franziskanerkloster,Klosterstr. 17, 59457 Werl Tel.: 02922-982131 Fax: 02922-982154eMail: khl.werl@franziskaner.de

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