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Today, Benedict belonged to the Palestinians
Pope to Israelis: 'Tear down this wall'
May. 13, 2009
Palestinian girls smile next to a papal flag as Pope Benedict celebrates Mass in Bethlehem (CNS photo)
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PDF versionBethlehem, Palestinian Territories
After a rough forty-eight hours for Pope Benedict XVI in the Middle East, the pontiff attempted to get back on track today with his most explicitly political message. On his lone day in the Palestinian Territories, Benedict delivered the papal equivalent of Ronald Reagan’s famous 1987 “tear down this wall!” speech in Berlin.
Standing in a Palestinian refugee camp located in the shadow of Israel’s towering security wall, Benedict forcefully criticized such barriers between peoples.
“In a world where more and more borders are being opened up – to trade, to travel, to movement of peoples, to cultural exchanges – it is tragic to see walls still being erected,” the pope said.
Later, he said such walls “do not last forever” and “can be taken down” – a fairly clear hint that, in his mind, the wall should come down as quickly as possible.
To be sure, Benedict balanced those statements by urging Palestinian youth to resist the lure of terrorism – an indirect acknowledgment of the security concerns which led Israel to erect the wall in the first place.
For the most part, however, today the pope belonged to the Palestinians. He once again endorsed Palestinian statehood, referred to the suffering in the Gaza Strip five times, and compared the fate of Palestinian refugees with the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt.
Benedict crossed from Israel into the West Bank early this morning. Geographically it was a journey of just four miles, but one that carried the pontiff across a vast political and cultural gulf.
Benedict wasted no time returning to the theme of the two-state solution, which he first endorsed on Monday upon his arrival at Tel Aviv in Israel. This time, his language was even sharper.
“The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbors, within internationally recognized borders,” the pope said.
Later in the day, Benedict used the magic word “state.” During a visit to the Aida camp, home to some 3,000 Palestinian refugees which was opened after the 19478 Arab/Israeli war, Benedict told his audience, “Your legitimate aspirations for permanent homes, for an independent Palestinian State, remain unfulfilled.”
Throughout the day, the pope exuded sympathy for the plight of Palestinians hard-hit by decades of war, political paralysis, and economic stagnation. He recognized their “natural right to marry, to raise families, and to have access to work, education and health care.”
“I know how much you have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the turmoil that has afflicted this land for decades,” the pope said during the welcoming ceremony, urging Palestinians to “keep alive the flame of hope.”
In this context, Benedict pled with young Palestinians to reject terrorism.
“I make this appeal to the many young people throughout the Palestinian Territories today: do not allow the loss of life and the destruction that you have witnessed to arouse bitterness or resentment in your hearts,” he said. “Have the courage to resist any temptation you may feel to resort to acts of violence or terrorism.”
Given the resentments that lurk barely beneath the surface, however, the pope’s appeal may be a tough sell. In Bethlehem’s City Hall building, just off Manger Square where Benedict celebrated Mass, posters dotted the wall showing four Palestinian men from the area who had been killed by Israeli troops, with two of the men brandishing automatic weapons. One of the four was the local leader of the Islamic Jihad movement.
The poster reads, “Our four martyrs.”
Perhaps the day’s most dramatic moment came with Benedict’s visit to the Aida camp, which was one of the hardest hit areas of the West Bank by an Israeli incursion in 2002, intended to curb terrorism.
The visit gave the pontiff the chance to encounter young Palestinians such as Sofia Ramadan, a Muslim and part of a youth group that danced for Benedict. Ramadan grew up in the Aida camp, and said the construction of the nearby security wall destroyed a grove of olive trees where the students at the camp’s school used to play.
Ramadan said she wants to be a journalist, “so I can tell the world what’s happening here in Palestine.”
Early indications are that Benedict’s words and gestures today are likely to be well received by Palestinian spokespersons.
“I hope [the pope’s message] will reach the ears of all Palestinians, so people today will not feel alone, will not feel abandoned, will not feel scared, will not feel hopeless,” said Saeb Erakat, a chief Palestinian negotiator, speaking on CNN.
“I am not saying that the pope will turn the train tomorrow and change things, but this is a step, a huge step in the right direction,” Erakat said.
During his open-air Mass in Manger Square, the pope also addressed a word to the rapidly diminishing Christian population in the Palestinian Territories.
“Count on the prayers and solidarity of your brothers and sisters in the universal Church, and work, with concrete initiatives, to consolidate your presence and to offer new possibilities to those tempted to leave,” the pope said.
Tomorrow, Benedict will travel to Nazareth in the Galilee region of Israel, where among other things he is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the two men’s first substantive encounter during the trip.
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John L. Allen Jr. is NCR senior correspondent. His traveling with Pope Benedict XVI in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories May 8-15. Read NCRonline.org daily for his dispatches from the Holy Land.
The stories he has filed so far:
Benedict rides 'peace train' to Nazareth (May 14)
Church in Israel struggles to find its Hebrew voice (May 14)
Today, Benedict belonged to the Palestinians (May 13)
Pope strikes new balance in the Old City (May 12)
The pope and the Hitler Youth, in Benedict's own words (May 12)
Analysis: Benedict's timeless touch noble, but tricky (May 12)
At Yad Vashem, what pope doesn't say makes waves (May 11)
Pope in Israel mends fences, but doesn't pull punches (May 11)
Pope calls on Mideast Christians to perservere (May 10)
Benedict XVI sets new papal record for mosque visits (May 9)
Even in Jordan, Christian-Muslim ties not always easy (May 9)
Emphasis on Islam makes pope's trip an original (May 8)
Five challenges await pope on Middle East swing (May 7)
Pope's Holy Land pilgrimage a huge roll of the dice (May 7)
This is great news! Viva el
This is great news! Viva el Papa!
Do the Israelis describe the
Do the Israelis describe the 1300 civilians dead after the brutal incursion into Gaza as killed or murdered? They were, of course, murdered but is that acknowledged?
I think the pope is doing a
I think the pope is doing a great job of standing for the right things in this trip. He needs to stand up for who Jesus would stand up for and he seems to be doing it well.
This may be a repetition, but
This may be a repetition, but I hope it comes through. SMJEan
Very encouraging! It was good
Very encouraging! It was good for the Pope to see the devastation and suffering in this area of the world, far from the safety of the Vatican.
It was also good for these warring people to see and hear his plea for Peace.Too often the Church has stood on the "sidelines" viewing the world from a distance. Just maybe it will help Benedict to better understand and agree with John XXIIIrd's effort to open the Vatican and allow some fresh air to flow through and maybe it wiil help him to understand that even "dogmas" are not the most important part of shepherding. It is being open and receptive to the needs of the 2lst century so that , God willing, there will be a 22nd century,
In the 5th paragraph of his
In the 5th paragraph of his article, Mr. Allen states: "To be sure, Benedict balanced those statements by urging Palestinian youth to resist the lure of violence ---- an indirect acknowledgement of the security concerns which led Israel to erect the wall in the first place".
How does Allen know that that motivation was in Benedict's head when he so advised the youth against violence? Allen's interpretation is highly subjective on his part, not a good quality for a reporter to have. To make matters worse, Allen regurgitates the Israeli party line when he ascribes Israel's construction of the wall to "security concerns" as if that was the sole reason, or even the principal reason for its being built. The Wall is chiefly an Israeli land grab (much of it being on Palestinian territory) and water grab (the path of it being in large part strategically placed in consideration of large Palestinian aquifers).
One aspect of John Allen Jr's
One aspect of John Allen Jr's reports are that they are timely and concise. However, last night I witnessed a BBC TV report endorsing the attack on Pope Benedict XVI by some demented religious leaders, that Joseph Ratzinger, as part of Hitler Youth (showing questionable photo of young teen in uniform), endorsed the Nazi regime, and should apologize to Israel.
The context of the Ratzinger family history was completely forgotten. Young Joseph Ratzinger was embedded heart and soul in the Catholic opposition to the Nazis. However that he did not want to martyr his entire family to make the point is obvious.
In a real sense this mirrors the predicament of Pius XII who did not want to add to the deaths of more Jews and Christians by openly attacking the insanity of Hitler. International Jewish organizations advised the Pope Pius XII to go 'low key.'
For Israeli academics, rabbis and historians to wedge the Vatican with lies and distortions that they are very knowledgeable of will forever effect my trust of Israel and the Israeli cause. Their motives and actions are the most serious betrayal of a brave 'Righteous Gentile.' Many of us will never forget.
1. Pope Benedict XVI went to
1. Pope Benedict XVI went to the West Bank on Wednesday,
2. Pope Benedict XVI offered Vatican support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel
3. Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for an end to Israel's embargo on the Gaza Strip.
4. Pope Benedict XVI urged youths to shun "terrorism"
5. Pope Benedict XVI urged both sides (Israelis and Palestinians) to engage in a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace.
How many of our mediocre "single-issue" "canon-law centered" "power-hungry" Catholic Bishops of the USCCB will even take the trouble to read and understand what this Pope's Message means ?
If past performance ("rotten" homilies and "total lack of interest" in the promotion of the study of scripture in their dioceses) is an indicaactor of future actions, this mediocre bunch of Bishops who lack initiative and have shown "ZERO" leadership need to opt for voluntary retirement before they "collectively" drive the Catholic Church in America into the ditch.
God bless,
Moses
While we're on the subject of
While we're on the subject of walls and barriers, it's long overdue for the Pope to break down the walls that exclude women from ministry in the Church. At the very least, perhaps as a first step, it's time to open the diaconate to women who have been called to that ministry. Help me to understand how the Pope continues to "erect walls" that exclude an entire gender from ministry?!
Denise Ryan
Oh yes, it would not be an
Oh yes, it would not be an NCR article without at least once reference to women's "ordination" and evil bishops.
*Yawn*
*Yawn*
Rejoice! Pray for the Pope!
Rejoice! Pray for the Pope! Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Unfortunately, this story
Unfortunately, this story across the media is seen as the pope taking a political side to this issue. It is more easily understood if one sees it as if the pope were addressing it as a simply humanitarian - as opposed to political - issue.
Benedict said,"I know how
Benedict said,"I know how much you have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the turmoil that has afflicted this land for decades,” to the Palestinians.
If only he had made a similar statement to the Jews about the suffering they experienced in the Holocaust we wouldn't have all this nonsense and tesnsion between us and those of the Jewish faith.
Thank you, Benedict, for your
Thank you, Benedict, for your message. Walls need to be torn down to be able to build bridges. When will you come to visit the walls along the U.S. - Mexico border? Walls are the encarnation of our brain-barriers. Let peace ring throughout the land and our hearts and minds!
WE fully agree with the
WE fully agree with the comment posted by Denise Ryan about the "other walls" erected by the Roman 'authorities" that symbolize the violence against women in the Church! Keep up the good work, Denise!
Pax. Arisophilos
Denise, I don't think you
Denise,
I don't think you help your cause when you hijack an article that has nothing to do with your misguided position. This article and the activities of the Pope this week have nothing to do with "women priests."
Have you ever actually studied the vast theology and Church teachings in this area? Do you actually know why only men are called as priests and bishops? It has nothing to do with power, or sexism, or holding women down. There is a very deep and beautiful theological truth behind this. I won't go into detail here, but you can find many resources on it from faithful Catholic websites and publications.
In short, Christ is the bridegroom (male) and the Church is the bride (female). That distinction is so very essential to Catholicism....gender roles matter in God's plan for salvation. At mass, the priest stands in the place of Christ. Jesus Christ was the Son (male) and was certainly a man here on earth. He is also the bridegroom. How can a woman be the groom? It would totally alter the symbols and the power of the sacrifice of the Holy Mass.
It's not sexism in the least, but many Catholics are so poorly instructed in their own faith, they have no idea of the true meaning and beauty and necessity behind these aspects and rules in Catholicism.
The Church, the Pope, the bishops have NO POWER or authority to change this. It is an eternal truth, not merely a discipline that can be changed (like priestly celibacy). I do agree that women could probably be made deaconesses if the Church chose to do so.
See this link for a good starting point:
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/a51.htm
I wish our bishops could take
I wish our bishops could take a cue from the Pope. He doesn't rave and rant; he doesn't threaten; he is always a gentleman. He can call a spade a spade when he has to but it is not political and always speaks a gospel message. I am proud he is our Pope.
I'm happy to see the Pope
I'm happy to see the Pope speaking out to help the Palestinians. Even the Jews against Zionism website and blogs are against what is happening in Israel. I don't think many people realize that there is conflict between the True Torah Jews and Zionists.
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