WEST BANK: Christians in Bethlehem mark beginning of christmas preparations season

Record ID: 561360

  • Title: WEST BANK: Christians in Bethlehem mark beginning of christmas preparations season
  • Date: 25th November 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER PIERBATTISTA PIEZZABALLA, CUSTODIAN OF THE HOLY LAND, SAYING: "All Christians are born in Bethlehem, so Bethlehem is the heart of all Christians all over the world and we want to be here. We will never forget Bethlehem, we will never leave Bethlehem alone. The message of Bethlehem is a message of peace and unity among all the Christians, among all the inhabitants, Christians and Muslims, to show this unity for the sake of its inhabitants." (SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER PIERBATTISTA PIEZZABALLA, CUSTODIAN OF THE HOLY LAND: (QUESTION: HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SITUATION WHEN ENTERING THROUGH THE WALL?) PIEZZABALLA, SAYING: "It is very sad, very sad. For the first time I see this entrance among these two walls, it was very sad. But in spite of all that we have to go on. We will prevail."
  • Embargoed: 10th December 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA55P2I54AORFOLT8SINAJQ2I64
  • Story Text: Senior Catholic priests and hundreds of Christian worshippers gathered in Jesus's birth town of Bethlehem in the West Bank on Saturday (November 25) to mark the start of the season of preparation for Christmas.
    Colourful flags decorated Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity and a marching band played as the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Piezzaballa, and other senior priests arrived to launch the Christian season of Advent.
    "All Christians are born in Bethlehem, so Bethlehem is the heart of all Christians all over the world and we want to be here. We will never forget Bethlehem, we will never leave Bethlehem alone, Father Piezzaballa said. "The message of Bethlehem is a message of peace and unity among all the Christians, among all the inhabitants, Christians and Muslims to show this unity for the sake of its inhabitants," he said.
    The "Custos" or Custodian of the Holy Land is the Pope's envoy to the Middle East. He is the major superior of the friars in the Palestinian territories, as well as in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Rhodes.
    The word "Advent" means "coming" or "arrival". It marks the beginning of the season of celebration of the birth of Jesus.
    His arrival in the biblical town of Bethlehem marks the beginning of a festive season in which millions of Christians around the world make their preparations for Christmas.
    Pilgrims taking the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank have to pass through an iron gateway in an eight metre (26 foot) high concrete structure since Israel completed a section of its West Bank separation barrier outside Bethlehem.
    Bethlehem is fully cut off from neighbouring Jerusalem.
    Asked what he thinks about the wall surrounding Bethlehem, Father Piezzaballa said "It is very sad".
    "But in spite of all that we have to go on. We will prevail," he added.
    Israel has erected its internationally condemned barrier inside the West Bank saying that it aims to stop Palestinian suicide bombers. Palestinians say that the barrier's construction amounts to a land grab that denies them a viable state.
    The World Court has branded the barrier illegal because it loops into occupied land.
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