Vatican pushes nations to guarantee religious freedom in Jerusalem

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has urged the international community to push for a “special status” to guarantee religious freedom in the city of Jerusalem in any agreement regarding a peace deal between Israel and Palestine.

Addressing a ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 18, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister, called for an internationally guaranteed status on Jerusalem to ensure “equality of rights and duties of the faithful”. of the three monotheistic religions (Christians, Jews and Muslims), the absolute guarantee of freedom of religion and of access and worship in holy places, and respect for the status quo regime, where it applies.

“To this end, the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the unique identity and cultural heritage of Jerusalem must be preserved and promoted,” he told a group of foreign ministers of around 50 of country.

The meeting launched working groups from the European Union, the League of Arab States and Jordan to push Israel and Palestine to reach a peace deal. A joint statement issued by participants after the meeting urged contributors to the “peace support package” to work to “ensure the historic status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites,” which includes Jordan’s role in managing Islamic and Christian holy places in the city.

Archbishop Gallagher said the establishment of guidelines for the administration of Jerusalem is a “central point of contention that must be resolved in order to achieve a stable and lasting peace” between Israel and Palestine, and he lamented “acts of intolerance” in the city. “recently perpetrated by some Jewish extremists against Christians. »

“Such actions must be clearly condemned by all governments, first and foremost the Israeli government, and prosecuted by law and prevented in the future through education in brotherhood,” he said.

In July, Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced growing violence against Christians across the country and particularly in Jerusalem, calling attacks on Christians a “true disgrace.”

“The Holy See,” Archbishop Gallagher said during his speech, “considers Jerusalem not as a place of confrontation and division, but as a meeting place where Christians, Jews and Muslims can live together in respect and harmony. mutual good will.

The archbishop recalled that Pope Francis “has repeatedly called on Israelis and Palestinians to engage in direct dialogue” and that the Israeli and Palestinian presidents met at the Vatican in 2014 to pray together for peace and planted a symbolic olive tree in the Vatican gardens.

“It seems to me that there have been no more similar high-level meetings,” he noted. “Nevertheless, we continue to water this olive tree, waiting for the presidents of the two states, accompanied by their governments, to return to reap the fruits of peace.”

Copyright © 2023 Catholic News Service/American Conference of Catholic Bishops

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