By Jesús Colina
VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Israel's new ambassador to the Holy See said his country will do everything possible to help Christian communities in the Holy Land so they are not forced to emigrate.
"We shall do our utmost to help strengthen the Christian communities in Israel as their essential presence in the Holy Land is deeply rooted and historically self-understood," Mordechay Lewy told a group of journalists today as he spoke at the Israeli embassy.
He expressed the same commitment last Thursday when he met with Benedict XVI, echoing the Pope's sentiment that everything should be done to prevent the Holy Land from "becoming an archeological site deprived of ecclesial life."
"Israel would like to reiterate its commitment to maintain the status quo in the Christian holy places and to uphold the respective rights that the Christian communities enjoy under it," he added.
According to the ambassador, the majority of Christians who leave the Holy Land are motivated more by social and economic reasons than by political ones. In general, he added, they have received a good education in Christian schools and thus, can easily find work in other countries.
Lewy said the Holy Father's address to him was "very positive," and he said he desires that the government responds to the Pope's petitions, for example that an agreement be reached on the application of the Fundamental Agreement.
Negotiations on the agreement have been going on since it was signed, particularly regarding issues of taxation on material goods and ecclesial property. Lewy noted that these agreements affect Israeli law, and thus require time.
The ambassador also said he is interested in responding to Benedict XVI's request to facilitating the visa process for priests and religious from countries who do not have relations with Israel or whose countries are at war. He acknowledged that a solution could be difficult, since he said it is hard to make exceptions based on religious or ecclesial status.
Tribe of Levi
Lewy takes on his role as ambassador with experience gained from being an adviser to the mayor of Jerusalem from 2004 to 2008 on issues relating to religious communities. The new envoy is married and has three children. He studied history at the Hebrew University.
He introduced himself to the Pope as "a descendant of the Tribe of Levi" and told journalists that since 1993, when the Holy See and Israel established relations, he has wanted the role of ambassador.
He said: "I am aware that this assignment is much more than a classical diplomatic mission. The Holy See counts time in centuries, if not in millennia. Hence, it would be somehow inadequate to regard our relations merely as a bilateral affair between two sovereign states.
"In addition, the diplomatic dimension is relatively new, even if compared with the significant reconciliation between Catholic and Jews that was effected through the promulgation of the conciliar declaration 'Nostra Aetate' more than 40 years ago."
In the discourse he addressed to the Pope, he said: "Our respective spiritual traditions for the Judeo-Christian heritage, which is so central to modern culture and civilization can create a common platform to both of us. It could and should help to generate a more […] fraternal world."
ZE08051503 - 2008-05-15
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-22592?l=english
Israeli Envoy Says He Has Christian Needs at Heart
Expresses Hope for Improved Situation for Church in Holy Land
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