Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bethlehem (Agenzia Fides) - People in Bethlehem prepare to celebrate Christmas despite difficult economic and social conditions, restricted freedom and little hope for the future, according to the local community of Italian Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth who run the Caritas Baby Hospital the only children’s hospital in Bethlehem which cares for about 500,000 little patients every year. The hospital relies on donations and at Christmas the sisters say “Don’t forget the children of Bethlehem!”.
“Worse than economic difficulties - the Sisters write - is restriction of freedom, freedom to look for a job, to plan a dignified life. Concern for the children’s future, political instability, fear and tension push many to leave the country, many Christians prefer to immigrate rather than live in a ‘prison”.
The letter continues “Bethlehem Baby Hospital is an interesting point from which to understand Bethlehem today. Difficult living conditions mean many children are at risk of infection. The growing rate of unemployment has disastrous effects. Precarious sanitation is another threat to health, particularly that of children”. The hospital admits an average of 3,500 children a day and provides medical care for another 30,000, 100 per day, in smaller care-centres. “One of the greatest difficulties is to move children to other hospitals. Sometimes a Palestinian ambulance goes as far as the check-point at the Wall and the sick child is transferred to an Israeli ambulance and taken to the hospital arranged”.
The sisters are sad to see that the Wall of Separation is almost finished: “like a great grey serpent it encircles the town in a mortal grip” and they are also sad that Bethlehem’s Christians cannot go to pray at the Holy Places in Jerusalem. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2006 righe 27 parole 279)
