Catholic Bishops’ Message To The People Of Gaza

January 15th, 2016

Awake Goy

Catholic Bishop’s Message To The People Of Gaza: “You live in a prison; the Israeli Confiscation Of Land Is In Violation Of International Law, You Are Not Forgotten”

By Martin Hill
LibertyFight.com

Here is one story you probably won’t see on CNN! Every January, an international contingent of Catholic Bishops meet in the Holy Land.

They issued a strongly-worded statement today which noted that the Israeli “occupation eats away at the soul of both occupier and occupied.’

The bishops added that the Israeli ‘confiscation of land’ in Gaza is “in violation of international law” and assured the Palestinian people that “you are not forgotten – Throughout 2016 we shall raise your plight nationally and internationally.”

They continued “The 2014 war led to the destruction of thousands of homes and the physical and social infrastructure of Gaza… To those Israelis and Palestinians who seek peace, you are not forgotten… Political leaders across the world must put greater energy into a diplomatic solution to end nearly 50 years of occupation and resolve the ongoing conflict so the two peoples and three faiths can live together in justice and peace.”

They fourteen bishops began their letter by stating “We take away our experiences and the stories that we have heard, and we are determined to give a voice to the voiceless.”

Their letter continued,

“Here in this land holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, we have been reminded during our visit of the Church’s enduring presence among the weak and vulnerable and those who are too often forgotten. We take away our experiences and the stories that we have heard, and we are determined to give a voice to the voiceless.

“The ongoing violence makes it all the more urgent that we remember and assist all, especially those on the margins, who seek to live in justice and peace.

“To the Christian community and young people of Gaza, you are not forgotten. The 2014 war led to the destruction of thousands of homes and the physical and social infrastructure of Gaza, as well as the deaths of both Israelis and Palestinians. One and a half years later, while there are signs of hope and the resilience of the population is remarkable, many remain homeless and traumatised by the war. The blockade continues to make their lives desperate and they effectively live in a prison. At Holy Family Parish we were told: “In this Year of Mercy, one of the acts of mercy is to visit prisoners and I thank you for visiting the largest prison in the world.” The ability of so many Christians and Muslims to support each other in this situation is a visible sign of hope and, at a time when many seek to divide communities, an example to us all.

“To the Christian community of Beit Jala, where the Israeli confiscation of land and the expansion of the separation wall in the Cremisan Valley, in violation of international law, further undermine their presence in the Holy Land, you are not forgotten. Throughout 2016 we shall raise your plight nationally and internationally.

“To those Israelis and Palestinians who seek peace, you are not forgotten. The right of Israel to live in security is clear, but the continuing occupation eats away at the soul of both occupier and occupied. Political leaders across the world must put greater energy into a diplomatic solution to end nearly 50 years of occupation and resolve the ongoing conflict so the two peoples and three faiths can live together in justice and peace.”

They ended with a prayer “O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.”

The letter was signed by:
Archbishop Stephen Brislin, South Africa
Bishop Peter Burcher, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Bishop Oscar Cantu, United States of America
Archbishop Rodolfo Cetoloni, Italy
Bishop Christopher Chessun, Church of England
Bishop Michel Dubost, France
Bishop Lionel Gendron, Canada
Bishop Felix Gmur, Switzerland
Bishop William Kenney, England and Wales, COMECE
Bishop Declan Lang, England and Wales
Bishop John McAreavey, Ireland
Bishop William Nolan, Scotland
Bishop Thomas Maria Renz, Germany
Archbishop Joan Enric Vives, Spain