Benedict XVI and the Future of the Holy Land

Inside Catholic ^ | April 6, 2009 | Deal Hudson

[NYer]

Over dinner at the Ambassador Hotel in East Jerusalem, I talked with Danny Seidemann, a Jewish man from upstate New York who moved to Israel as a youth more than 30 years ago. Danny is recognized worldwide as an expert on the religious and cultural differences that divide, and potentially unite, Jerusalem. "The Christian community of Jerusalem is the canary in the coal mine," he told me. "When it starts dying, we know all of us are going to die."

 

Seidemann, himself a Zionist, believes preserving the Christian presence in the Holy Land is crucial to its future. That underscores the importance of the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land in early May. "The Church can have enormous influence here. The pope can address people above the heads of their leaders."

 

But Seidemann believes that time is running short for any type of two-state solution. After the recent conflict in Gaza, the window of opportunity has closed further: "We have one to three years to get it done, after that there will be nothing left to engage." He is confident the Vatican understands the urgency of the situation.

 

When I asked him about the impact of the December bombing and invasion of Gaza, Seidemann moved the subject back to Jerusalem. "Jerusalem is the key," he told me. More than a decade ago, Seidemann drew the proposed boundaries for Palestinian-controlled East Jerusalem that would be necessary for the creation of two sovereign states. "The boundaries I drew for the Clinton administration can still be drawn," he said. I asked him about the controversial Israeli settlements in that part of the city. "That dispute can be settled by a one-for-one exchange of land -- it can be resolved."

 

Seidemann is surprisingly upbeat because he senses that "people are ready for something to happen." Six weeks ago he met in Washington, D.C., with key members of the Obama administration tasked with the Middle East. He believes the Obama team, led by George Mitchell, has the expertise and the will to make progress. One obvious obstacle is that the new Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is dedicated to the settlements and has beenless interested in pursuing the two-state solution agreed upon at the 2007 Annapolis Conference, hosted by President George Bush.

 

There would be more support from the United States for a two-state solution, according to Seidemann, if those primarily heard on the topic of Israel and the Palestinians were not either Christian Zionists on the one hand, or Israel bashers on the other. He believes there is an untapped resource of people in the middle who are ready to be heard and who want to move forward to stop the escalating conflict.

 

"Jews, Muslims, and Christians have been maintaining their identity in Jerusalem for over 1,300 years." For Seidemann, Jerusalem must maintain its tradition of ecumenism and set an example for Baghdad and Beirut -- otherwise, the habits of those cities will take hold and "pollute" Jerusalem.

 

Seidemann knows as well as anyone that the Christian presence in East Jerusalem and the occupied territories on the West Bank has been shrinking for years. In the past, the shrinking numbers could be attributed to the harsh realities of Israeli occupation, but more and more it is conflict with Muslims in towns like Bethlehem -- where they once lived peacefully together -- that sends Christians packing. Add to that the attraction of young people to prosperous Palestinian enclaves in Chile, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Australia.

 

Is the Christian "canary" in Jerusalem already in the process of dying a slow death? Seidemann did not say. But when he said that politicians must realize that "it's five minutes to midnight," the implication is clear. There can be no more delay, no more missed opportunities.

 

The Obama administration, which is alienating Catholics with its pro-abortion policy, may find itself on the same page with Pope Benedict on this issue if he urges Israelis and Palestinians toward the two-state solution during his May visit.

 

[NYer]

Pope's Holy Land Itinerary

ZE09032608 - 2009-03-26
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-25490?l=english

Pope's Holy Land Itinerary Published

Will Visit Jordan and Israel in May

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will visit the Wailing Wall, Jerusalem's Square of Mosques, the Grotto of the Nativity and Nazareth during his trip to the Holy Land this spring.

Today the Vatican press office published the Pope's itinerary for his 12th international trip, which will take place May 8-15.

The trip will basically repeat the key points of John Paul II's historic visit to the Holy Land in March 2000, although it will last one day longer, and will allow for more ecumenical and interreligious meetings.
 
Benedict XVI will arrive Friday, May 8, at Amman, Jordan. His first stop will be at the city's "Regina Pacis" Center, and then he will make a courtesy visit to the Jordanian monarchs at the al-Husseinye royal palace.

On Saturday, May 9, the Pope will visit the Moses Memorial on Mount Nebo, the place where tradition states that Moses saw the Promised Land from a distance.
 
That same day he will bless the cornerstone of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem's Madaba University, visit the Hashemite Museum and the Mosque of al-Hussein bin Talal in Amman, and then meet with Muslim religious leaders, the diplomatic corps and rectors of Jordanian universities.

He will also preside at the celebration of vespers with priests, religious, seminarians and ecclesial movements in the Greek-Melkite cathedral of St. George in Amman.

Benedict XVI will preside at a multitudinous Mass on Sunday, May 10, at the International Stadium in Amman.

That afternoon the Pope will visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of the Lord's Baptism, where he will bless the cornerstones of the Latin and Greek-Melkite churches.
 
The Holy Father will depart from Jordan on Monday, May 11, and travel by plane to Tel Aviv, Israel. He will first visit Jerusalem, as opposed to John Paul II who first went to the territories of the Palestinian National Authority.
 
Benedict XVI will make a courtesy visit to the president of Israel at the presidential palace in Jerusalem. Subsequently he will visit the Yad Vashem Memorial and hold a meeting with organizations for interreligious dialogue.

On Tuesday, May 12, the Pontiff will visit the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and meet the Grand Mufti, a stop John Paul II did not make.

According to tradition, it is the third most holy place of Islam, after Mecca and Medina. It is also a sacred place for Jews, as the heart of the Old Temple of Jerusalem is located there.

He will also visit the Western Wall and meet with the two Chief Rabbis of Israel at the Hechal Shlomo Centre.
 
At midday he is due to pray the Regina Coeli with ordinaries of the Holy Land in the Cenacle of Jerusalem and to make a brief visit to the co-cathedral of the Latins. That afternoon he will celebrate Mass in the Valley of Josaphat.
 
Subsequently, the Pope will go to Bethlehem on Wednesday, May 13, where he will celebrate Mass in Manger Square and visit the Aida Refugee Camp (John Paul II visited the Deheisha camp). He will also visit the Caritas Baby Hospital and the president of the Palestinian National Authority in the presidential palace of Bethlehem, after which the departure ceremony will take place on the square in front of the palace.
 
On Thursday, May 14, Benedict XVI will go to Galilee, specifically to Nazareth, where he will visit the grotto of the Annunciation, and later meet with the Prime Minister of Israel. He will celebrate Mass on the Mount of the Precipice, where tradition states that his countrymen tried to hurl Jesus after he preached in the Synagogue.
 
As opposed to John Paul II, Benedict XVI's visit to this area will be shorter. He will not visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, or Capernaum or Tabga, where tradition recalls the Multiplication of the Loaves.
 
Before returning to Rome on Friday, May 15, the Holy Father is scheduled to meet with the Greek-Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, as well as with the patriarch of the Armenian Church.

[Pyro7480]

Benedict XVI will preside at a multitudinous Mass on Sunday, May 10, at the International Stadium in Amman.

That thought gives me the willies. Pray for his safety!

[RobbyS]

Quite an itinerary. It makes me tired thinking about it,

[NYer]

He turns 82 this month. God bless him with a long and healthy life!

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you'd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

The issue isn't a two state solution, rather the wisdom of creating a state dedicated to eradicating their neighbor

[philly-d-kidder]

The POPE is meeting the Orthodox and armenian patriarchs to stop them from Fist Fighting in the Holy sepluchure area in Jerusalem or the Nativity area In bethlehem. I saw a Franciscan flip out when the Armenians Threw Our tour out of the Nativity area... here is the Photo of Armenian Patriarch saying mass just after the Incident.

[philly-d-kidder]

I was there last October..

[philly-d-kidder]

This is where they will take anytroublemakers..

[SunkenCiv]

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[Victoria Delsoul]

Good article, thanks.