Jerusalem (Fides Service) - A Polish seminarian studying in Jerusalem tells Fides about life in the Holy Land: “We are sort of semi-clandestine and often have to stay inside the seminary to avoid being arrested and repatriated. My fellow seminarians from Rumania, Russia and other countries of Europe have the same problem. But for students and Religious from Africa and other parts of the Middle East it is even more difficult: they are often regarded as possible terrorists”.
One of the seminary staff members told Fides: “We are very disappointed. This is unfair. This attitude is in open contradiction to the agreement stipulated by Israel and the Holy See ten years ago which officially guaranteed the Church in the Holy Land freedom of movement for all activities pastoral, liturgical, catechetical etc.”. There is a danger that sooner or later Christian parishes, hospitals and schools in this region will have to close for lack of personnel.
Local Catholic priests and religious are concerned and disappointed and they think that something should be done to protest with the Israeli authorities: “there is a lack of respect for Christian institutions which hitherto enjoyed esteem and consideration” local sources told Fides.
(Agenzia Fides 26/3/2004 lines 35 words 337)