(Jerusalem) - The end of restrictions on the movement of religious, a conclusion to the lengthy negotiations between the Holy See and Israel, the achievement of a just peace – two peoples, two states – protecting the lives, dignity, rights and religious freedom of all in the Middle East. This is the request of the bishops of the EU, US and Canada, members of the Co-ordination of the Episcopal Conferences in support of the Church in the Holy Land and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops in the Holy Land (HLC 2011), on the last day of their annual visit of solidarity to Jerusalem. In a final communiqué released this morning, the nine bishops-signatories have reaffirmed their commitment to “prayer with and for the local Christian Community” and invoked “a just peace” to protect the rights and dignity of all in the region. Then they strongly encouraged “pilgrimages to the Holy Land”. The Co-ordination also reaffirmed its support and solidarity to “those who desperately want to find ways of contributing to a situation of greater justice and peace where they see so much fear and mistrust, even hate and destruction”.
“Despite some tangible improvements in the visa allocation”, the bishops stressed the “frustration felt by some Catholic clergy and Religious whose daily tasks are made difficult by restrictions on their movement” recalling that “the Pope’s words during his visit in 2009 to allow ease of movement for Catholic clergy and Religious seem to have gone unheard”. In its statement, the Co-ordination urged “a conclusion to the lengthy negotiations between the Holy See and the State of Israel” and expressed its closeness to “those people whose land and property has been damaged or taken from them, including by the route and construction of the wall, and to those whose lives are made so difficult by the situation where they live in Gaza”. The bishops of the EU, US and Canada, referring to their visit to Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, encouraged “leaders and people” in the Holy Land “to stand with agents of justice and peacemakers” and support the peace efforts.
At the same time, they called on those who live in Israel and Palestine to “take courageous steps for justice and peace”. The goal is to work “for a lasting peace by supporting a two state solution with security and recognition for the state and people of Israel and a viable and independent state for Palestinians. We will work for a future where” the dignity and rights of both peoples are respected. The communiqué ends with a series of commitments: “We shall continue conversations with diplomats and politicians at home to share the concerns of the Christian communities we have met. We also call on others to join us in these commitments”, wrote the bishops. Both journalists and teachers have an important role to play in this direction. “We pray that the Lord may bless his people, all his people, with peace, especially in the land we all call holy”, concluded the bishops.

© SIR - jenuary 13 2011