VATICAN
CITY, APR 5, 2002 (VIS) - Today in Rome in the generalate of the Franciscan
Order, Fr. Giacomo Bini, superior general, presided at a press conference
concerning recent events in the Holy Land and specifically in Bethlehem.
In a
statement, he noted that “eight centuries ago, Francis of Assisi went, unarmed,
to meet the Sultan of Egypt, ... between two armed forces, to build peace.
Today 40 friars minor and four Franciscan sisters, without wishing it, are in
the same situation. They are living in their house with the doors broken down
and smashed, and surrounded by two armed groups, 200 Palestinians inside the
convent and numerous Israeli tanks outside. We are on the spot between the two
camps, seeking to dialogue with everyone to avoid a tragic end.”
Fr. Bini
said that the Franciscans have been custodians of the Holy Places for eight
centuries and will continue to care for them as they are “signs and symbols of
faith and piety that belong to all of mankind. ... Our brothers are psychologically and physically tired; they are
without food because in these days they shared everything they had with the 200
‘occupiers’. Notwithstanding everything, they will not abandon the site.”
Fr. Bini
said that all Franciscans wish to tell the sides involved in the conflict: “Whoever
has suffered - in the near or distant past - does not have the right to make
others suffer. In this way there will never be a solution to the violence. ...
It is with pardon that relations, communion and peace are built! We shout to everyone: Put down your arms!”
He said
all Franciscans “are ready today to act as mediators, as they are already
doing, because we have nothing to lose and no interest to defend, if not that
of peace which is everyone’s right!”
He asked
heads of state “to return to reason more than force,” men of good will “to
collaborate with our brothers and sisters ... in Bethlehem: speak, shout out,
do your part to build peace,” and journalists “don’t leave us alone. ... You
have a great role, a great responsibility, you can become builders of peace.”
Fr. Bini
closed by inviting “all friars Minor of the World, contemplative Franciscans
and all lay Franciscans to add a time of personal prayer each day for peace” to
the April 7 Day of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East declared by Pope John
Paul II for Sunday, April 7, Divine Mercy Sunday. .../FRANCISCANS:MIDEAST/BINI VIS
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