The Pope is not going to Gaza, so Gazan Christians must go to the Pope.
Some 200 Gazan Christians reportedly applied for permits to attend events during the Papal visit, and they were anxiously awaiting news about whether or not they would be allowed out of the besieged coastal strip. At least some of the permits were apparently granted, as this photo shows some Gazan Palestinian Christians moving toward the military watchtower at the forbidding Erez terminal into Israel.
Maan News Agency reported on Monday that “Israel granted permits to 93 Palestinian Christians to leave Gaza to attend a papal mass in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and turned down applications for more than 400 others, a church official in Gaza said on Monday. Amin Sabbagh of the Latin Patriarchate in Gaza said that Israel refused to allow anyone under the age of 35 to leave Gaza. Israeli officials have confirmed that they imposed some restrictions on allowing the faithful to leave Gaza, citing ‘security concerns’ … The Catholic Church turned down a petition last month to bring the pope to Gaza. Nonetheless the chair of Gaza’s Popular Committee Against Siege, Jamal Al-Khoudary extended the invitation to the pope one last time on Sunday, urging Benedict to bear witness to the destruction left behind by Israel’s three-week war”. This report can be read in full here.
Time Magazine reported that “Six weeks ago, 250 Christians applied for permission from the Israelis to exit the locked down Palestinian enclave of Gaza for a day to see Pope Benedict XVI as he visits in Israel on his tour of the Middle East. The Pontiff arrived in Tel Aviv Monday, but so far Gaza’s Christians haven’t heard if their permit applications — and prayers — have been answered [Though they were kept waiting until the last possible moment, permits for some of them did come through, as Ma’an reported above] … Another Bethlehem Christian named Nadia says she would like to see the Pope endure the same difficulties as Palestinians do every day while crossing the Israeli checkpoint. ‘The Holy Father would have to stand in line for several hours, then remove his belt and shoes and cross just to get past the security barrier’, she muses. The Christians in Gaza would willingly run such a security gauntlet to see the Pope” … [and they apparently did, if they passed through Erez terminal] … This article can be read in full here .
There has been a debate among Palestinians — Christian and Muslim alike — about whether or not it was good for the Pope to come now, so soon after the devastating Israeli Operation Cast Lead against the Gaza Strip (27 December – 18 January). There was also a big difference of opinion over whether or not the Pope should try to go to Gaza.
Dr. Eyad Sarraj asked recently, while sitting in the garden of his home in Gaza City, “Is the Pope coming to visit Bethlehem? Or is he coming to visit Palestine?” He said he wished the Pope would push to come to Gaza.
The Pope’s only mention of Gaza so far was indirect — he did not even speak the name, but he said later at Mass on Gethsemane “My greeting also goes to all those present, and in a special way to those faithful of the Holy Land who for various reasons were not able to be with us today”.
Schools in East Jerusalem are closed today and tomorrow, both to allow children and teachers to attend some of the Papal visit events, and also to avoid traffic problems.
The photos below shows the site where a stage is being built for the outdoor altar at Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, in East Jerusalem, where the Pope attended or celebrated Mass at the end of the day.
At the Mass he celebrated at Gethsemane, the Pope said, among other things, that Palestinian Christians should stay in the Holy Land and not leave to emigrate abroad.
The Pope stated that “Jews, Muslims and Christians alike call this city their spiritual home. How much needs to be done to make it truly a ‘city of peace’ for all peoples, where all can come in pilgrimage in search of God, and hear his voice, “a voice which speaks of peace” (cf. Ps 85:8)! Jerusalem, in fact, has always been a city whose streets echo with different languages, whose stones are trod by people of every race and tongue, whose walls are a symbol of God’s provident care for the whole human family. As a microcosm of our globalized world, this City, if it is to live up to its universal vocation, must be a place which teaches universality, respect for others, dialogue and mutual understanding; a place where prejudice, ignorance and the fear which fuels them, are overcome by honesty, integrity and the pursuit of peace. There should be no place within these walls for narrowness, discrimination, violence and injustice. Believers in a God of mercy – whether they identify themselves as Jews, Christians or Muslims – must be the first to promote this culture of reconciliation and peace, however painstakingly slow the process may be, and however burdensome the weight of past memories. Here I would like to speak directly to the tragic reality – which cannot fail to be a source of concern to all who love this City and this land – of the departure of so many members of the Christian community in recent years. While understandable reasons lead many, especially the young, to emigrate, this decision brings in its wake a great cultural and spiritual impoverishment to the City. Today I wish to repeat what I have said on other occasions: in the Holy Land there is room for everyone! As I urge the authorities to respect, to support and to value the Christian presence here, I also wish to assure you of the solidarity, love and support of the whole Church and of the Holy See”
While in Jerusalem, the Pope is, significantly, staying not in a hotel (many of the better ones are in West Jerusalem), but in the residence of the Apostolic Delegation on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, not far from the Gethsemane site (where Jesus spent the night praying, after the Last Supper, before his betrayal by Judas for some pieces of silver and his torture and crucifixion the next day.
The Vatican does not recognize the annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel after the June 1967 war.
However, that did not help with the security arrangements which were put into place by the Israeli authorities. In the photo below, according to the caption (and the body language), “A Palestinian man complains to Israeli Border Police after they blocked a street in east Jerusalem near where Pope Benedict XVI will stay during his visit to the Holy Land”.
A belligerent military occupation is, after all, a belligerent military occupation.
Pope Benedict XVI is, apparently, the first Pope ever to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest place in Islam, and the elevated plateau on which the Haram as-Sharif compound stands — including Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. He took off his shoes and visited the Dome of the Rock in his white socks (which can be reported with full confidence because they were visible in a photo when a Vatican aide helped him put his shoes back on after leaving the mosque, and mentioned — though not the color — in the DPA pool report further down below in this posting).
The Pope on the Haram ash-Sharif with Muslim notables – GPO photo
One side of that compound is the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, which is believed to be one of the supports for the mourned and longed-for Jewish Temples (First and Second). This is the crux of the religious-territorial conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, supported by Muslims world-wide. Many Jews believe that the remains of the destroyed Temples are under the Haram as-Sharif (perhaps directly under the Dome of the Rock, or between that and Al-Aqsa, or perhaps even under Al-Aqsa itself) — hence, they call it the Temple Mount . And, while the Rabbi of the Western Wall and other Jewish religious authorities believe it is forbidden to Jews to be on the Haram ash-Sharif/Temple Mount, for fear they may inadvertently tread on what once was the Holy of Holies, the Inner Sanctum, the altar of sacrifice of the Temples, there have been increasing attempts in recent years by Jewish national-religious fervent fundamentalists to reassert their claims to the Temple Mount (and some even call for the demolition of Al-Aqsa). This is a very big problem.
In 1980, the late-PLO representative to the European community headquarters in Brussels, Dr. Naim Khader — who was assassinated, for his efforts, by bullets fired at his head and his heart as he left his house in Brussels one morning — worked with European countries to develop a document called the Venice Declaration, a European position supporting Palestinan rights in a search for a peaceful solution to the conflict after two major regional wars (1967 + 1973). In the Venice Declaration, the various European countries choose to develop positions regarding the different aspects of the issue — and the Vatican was responsible for the issue of East Jerusalem.
The Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) schedule for the Pope’s visit today is as follows:
09:15 Meeting with the Mufti, Temple Mount
10:00 Visit to the Western Wall
10:35 Meeting with the Chief Rabbis, Heichal Shlomo
12:00 Visit to the Church of Dormition – site of the Last Supper
12:30 Visit and Prayer at Latin Patriarch
16:15 Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane
The Palestinian Authority schedule for the Pope’s visit today is:
East Jerusalem Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
08:15 To the Dome of the Rock.
08:45 To the Mosque’s Esplanade.
09:00 Courtesy visit to the Grand Mufti.
10:00 Visit to Al Buraaq Wall/ Western Wall.
14:15 Arrival at the Apostolic Delegation.
15:50 Short meeting with the Consuls General in Jerusalem.
16:00 To the Josafat Valley/Gethsemane.
16:30 Holy Mass/ Gethsemane
The merged Israeli + Palestinian Authority schedule for the Pope’s visit today (there are some slight overlaps and/or divergences) is:
08:15 To the Dome of the Rock.
08:45 To the Mosque’s Esplanade.
09:00 Courtesy visit to the Grand Mufti.
09:15 Meeting with the Mufti, Temple Mount [a slight incongruity in the Israeli version, showing a greater rigidity in religously-laden terminology]
10:00 Visit to Al Buraaq Wall/ Western Wall.
10:00 Visit to the Western Wall
10:35 Meeting with the Chief Rabbis, Heichal Shlomo
12:00 Visit to the Church of Dormition – site of the Last Supper
12:30 Visit and Prayer at Latin Patriarch
14:15 Arrival at the Apostolic Delegation.
15:50 Short meeting with the Consuls General in Jerusalem.
16:00 To the Josafat Valley/Gethsemane.
16:15 Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane
16:30 Holy Mass/ Gethsemane
An AFP pool report for the Foreign Press Association (FPA) said that the Pope’s visit to the Haram ash-Sharif/Temple Mount “took place amid high security, the plaza had been completely emptied of civilians but there was a heavy security presence, with barricades, policemen, plainclothes security guys, snipers in the minarets. There was a white surveillance blimp hovering over the compound and a helicopter buzzing overhead. The entire Old City was virtually empty. The pope was greeted at the Dome of the Rock by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein. He took off his red leather shoes before going inside. After the pope went in two bunches of red, white, green and black balloons rose in the distance. One of the bunches of balloons had a Vatican flag attached to it, the other had a Palestinian flag. The pope was inside at the time so he would not have seen the balloons”.
(AP Photo of sniper on Al-Aqsa Mosque minaret by Jim Hollander, Pool)
The Pope then in silent prayer at the Western Wall below the Dome of the Rock
A DPA (Deutsche Presse-Agentur) pool report for FPA also stated that “The visit took place amid extremely tight security. Police in blue uniforms and border police in green uniforms with semi-automatic weapons could be seen standing in groups all around the walls of the Old City, with roads in the immediate vicinity all blocked. On the Temple Mount platform itself, also scores of police and borderpolice. Helicopters hover above. The golden dome glisters shines against the very clear blue morning sky. At exactly 9 am, Pope arrives in black car, which stops right outside the Dome of the Rock’s eastern entrance. He gets out the car and enters the building, surrounded by security personnel in black suits. Stays inside just over 10 minutes or so, delivers remarks. Then slowly walks out the southern entrance. Aid kneels down to put his shoes back on, which he had taken off before entering the Dome of the Rock. Surrounded also by clergymen in black robes and with red skullcaps and red scarfs around their waists, he then enters a small building right outside for talks with the Mufti. After about 30 min. he emerges from the meeting, enters the black car and slowly drives off for his next stop, the Wailing Wall”.
According to a transcript of the Pope’s remarks at the Haram ash-Sharif (/Temple Mount) today, the Pontiff said: “The Dome of the Rock draws our hearts and minds to reflect upon the mystery of creation and the faith of Abraham. Here the paths of the world’s three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common. Each believes in One God, creator and ruler of all. Each recognizes Abraham as a forefather, a man of faith upon whom God bestowed a special blessing. Each has gained a large following throughout the centuries and inspired a rich spiritual, intellectual and cultural patrimony. In a world sadly torn by divisions, this sacred place serves as a stimulus, and also challenges men and women of goodwill to work to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts of the past and to set out on the path of a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace for coming generations. Since the teachings of religious traditions ultimately concern the reality of God, the meaning of life, and the common destiny of mankind – that is to say, all that is most sacred and dear to us – there may be a temptation to engage in such dialogue with reluctance or ambivalence about its possibilities for success. Yet we can begin with the belief that the One God is the infinite source of justice and mercy, since in him the two exist in perfect unity. Those who confess his name are entrusted with the task of striving tirelessly for righteousness while imitating his forgiveness, for both are intrinsically oriented to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the human family. For this reason, it is paramount that those who adore the One God should show themselves to be both grounded in and directed towards the unity of the entire human family. In other words, fidelity to the One God, the Creator, the Most High, leads to the recognition that human beings are fundamentally interrelated, since all owe their very existence to a single source and are pointed towards a common goal. Imprinted with the indelible image of the divine, they are called to play an active role in mending divisions and promoting human solidarity. This places a grave responsibility upon us. Those who honor the One God believe that he will hold human beings accountable for their actions. Christians assert that the divine gifts of reason and freedom stand at the basis of this accountability. Reason opens the mind to grasp the shared nature and common destiny of the human family, while freedom moves the heart to accept the other and serve him in charity. Undivided love for the One God and charity towards ones neighbor thus become the fulcrum … I have come to Jerusalem on a journey of faith. I thank God for this occasion to meet you as the Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter, but also as a child of Abraham, by whom ‘all the families of the earth find blessing’ (Gen 12:3; cf. Rom 4:16-17). I assure you of the Church’s ardent desire to cooperate for the well-being of the human family. She firmly believes that the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham is universal in scope, embracing all men and women regardless of provenance or social status. As Muslims and Christians further the respectful dialogue they have already begun, I pray that they will explore how the Oneness of God is inextricably tied to the unity of the human family. In submitting to his loving plan for creation, in studying the law inscribed in the cosmos and implanted in the human heart, in reflecting upon the mysterious gift of God’s self-revelation, may all his followers continue to keep their gaze fixed on his absolute goodness, never losing sight of the way it is reflected in the faces of others. With these thoughts, I humbly ask the Almighty to grant you peace and to bless all the beloved people of this region. May we strive to live in a spirit of harmony and cooperation, bearing witness to the One God by generously serving one another”.
A Reuters pool report for the FPA stated that “Grand Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, speaking in Arabic through a translator following the Pope’s visit to the Dome of the Rock, said: ‘This was a religious visit (by the Pope) to the holiest place for the Muslim world. During our (my) speech we focused on our sufferings and we asked for justice in this Holy Land. It is our hope that the visit will contribute to peace’. When asked how the pope had responded he said: ‘We felt he was receptive’.”
The Haram ash-Sharif and the Western Wall are both inside the Old City, which is part of East Jerusalem — that part of Jerusalem which was not part of Israel at its founding in 1948, but which was seized by Israel in the June 1967 war, and then incorporated into Greater Jerusalem and the State of Israel. However, the United Nations and most of the rest of the world — and the Vatican itself — consider East Jerusalem as “occupied territory”.
Later, at the Western or Wailing Wall, the Pope spoke against “moral relativism”, and in favor of “lasting moral values”. He reaffirmed irrevocable commitment to reconciliation between Christians and Jews.
Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov, said in the same ceremony that “Peace in Jerusalem will bring peace upon the entire earth”.
In a later speech to a gathering of Catholic Bishops, the Pope promoted tourism in the Holy Land:
“I wish to express my appreciation for the service offered to the many pilgrims and visitors who
come to the Holy Land seeking inspiration and renewal in the footsteps of Jesus. The Gospel story, contemplated in its historical and geographical setting, becomes vivid and colorful, and a clearer grasp of the significance of the Lord’s words and deeds is obtained. Many memorable experiences of pilgrims to the Holy Land have been possible thanks also to the hospitality and fraternal guidance offered by you, especially by the Franciscan Friars of the Custody. For this service, I wish to assure you of the appreciation and gratitude of the Universal Church and I express the wish that many more pilgrims will visit in the future”.
But, he did not forget the main purpose of his pilgrimage of faith.
In a prayer written on paper that he inserted into a crevice between the stones of the Western Wall, the Pope expressed this prayer:
“God of all the ages,
on my visit to Jerusalem, the ‘City of Peace’,
spiritual home to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike,
I bring before you the joys, the hopes and the aspirations,
the trials, the suffering and the pain of all your people throughout the world.
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
hear the cry of the afflicted, the fearful, the bereft;
send your peace upon this Holy Land, upon the Middle East,
upon the entire human family;
stir the hearts of all who call upon your name,
to walk humbly in the path of justice and compassion”.
And, later, at the Co-Cathedral of the Latins, the Pope told those gathered that “I am especially grateful for the prayers you offer for my universal ministry, and I ask you to continue to commend to the Lord my work of service to God’s people all over the world. In the words of the Psalmist, I ask you also to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps 122:6), to pray without ceasing for an end to the conflict that has brought so much suffering to the peoples of this land”.
