Jerusalem (Fides Service) - "The Christian community in the Holy Land needs the spiritual support and material help of Churches all over the world". This is the call coming from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, who recently hosted a Catholic Summit for peace attended by delegates of Bishops' Conference in England and Wales, the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain and Italy as well as the Commission of Bishops' Conferences of the European Community and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences. Fides Service asked the Patriarch about the meeting.

The Church in the Holy Land has a vital link with the Church all over the world: "The Holy land belongs to all Christians". Tell us about the meeting and its outcome?
The meeting, attended by Bishops of England and Wales, the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain and Italy served to strengthen the bonds which link the Church in Jerusalem with the Church in the rest of the world. In the present difficult situation, the Church in the Holy Land is called to shoulder certain responsibilities that must be based on common decisions, fruit of common efforts and reflection with the Church all over the world. This will enable the Church of Jerusalem to take a clear and convinced position. Every effort must be made to help the Holy Land become once again a land of prayer and encounter with God, and not a place of war.

The dramatic situation of the Christians in the Holy Land, ever fewer, was the focal point of the summit. What are the present urgencies?
The second purpose of the meeting was to examine the needs of the Holy Land's Christians at this tragic situation of war. The curfew imposed and siege of towns in Palestinian territory on the part of the Israeli army has caused 60% of Christian workers to lose their jobs. People are desperate and worried. The first need is to give bread to the hungry, as Jesus did. The first need is then to guarantee basic emergency supplies. This must be accompanied by spiritual support of prayer and the arrival of pilgrimages.

We know you are particularly concerned about the difficult situation of Catholic schools in the Holy Land. What was said about this during the meeting?
The situation of the school system in the Holy Land was another concern raised at the meeting. The network of schools run by dioceses or religious communities is in serious difficulty. Parents are unable to pay school fees and the whole system is in danger of collapsing. This calls for support from the Churches of the world. If the schools were forced to close this would mean that the Christian faith and values would no longer be handed down to the young generation. This would have a disastrous effect on the presence of Christians in the Holy Land.

You were recently prevented from leaving Tel Aviv airport? Do you think this episode will affect dialogue between Christian and Jewish communities?
The incident was unpleasant. The authorities failed to give me the diplomatic treatment due to the Patriarch. We sent an official protest to the Israeli authorities. Respect for heads of Churches demonstrates the State's respect for the whole Church. I do not think the episode will affect Christian-Jewish dialogue at all because we dialogue with people who have nothing to do with Israeli security forces. Our dialogue is based on reciprocal esteem and respect. (Fides Service 24/1/2003)