The Church of the Nativity, a sanctuary of peace for generations, has become a site of hunger, deprivation, terror and death. Food and water have been denied; the suffering have been deprived of medical attention and the dead have been allowed to decompose in the sight of children. The four hundred families living around Manger Square remain virtually without humanitarian assistance since the imposition of a nonstop curfew on April 3rd. Families are unable to care for their sick and elderly. The situation with the friars continues to deteriorate by the day, and cannot be allowed to continue. They remain to protect the holiness of this Church. They are concerned as men of God that if they leave, the men, women and children seeking sanctuary with them will be killed.
As President of Franciscans International, I call on world leaders and all women and men of good will to take up the challenge of peace immediately and with courage. The UN Security Council has indicated a sure path to peace through resolutions 1397, 1402, 1403 and 1405. Both parties should move immediately to a meaningful cease-fire, a renunciation of all acts of terrorism, a return to the protection of all human rights, and withdrawal from occupied territories. Only a constructive dialogue and the full protection of international human rights can ensure a just and peaceful solution to this suffering. Respect and full implementation of internationally recognized norms that protect Holy Sites will remind all sides that they stand beneath a God of universal compassion who will judge those who have tended the suffering and those who have not.
As President of Franciscans International, I call on world leaders and all women and men of good will to take up the challenge of peace immediately and with courage. The UN Security Council has indicated a sure path to peace through resolutions 1397, 1402, 1403 and 1405. Both parties should move immediately to a meaningful cease-fire, a renunciation of all acts of terrorism, a return to the protection of all human rights, and withdrawal from occupied territories. Only a constructive dialogue and the full protection of international human rights can ensure a just and peaceful solution to this suffering. Respect and full implementation of internationally recognized norms that protect Holy Sites will remind all sides that they stand beneath a God of universal compassion who will judge those who have tended the suffering and those who have not.