Progress in Holy See - Israeli Negotiations

(21 May 07 - RV) Officials of the Holy See began meeting today with their Israeli counterparts here at the Vatican to continue negotiations on certain economic and judicial issues affecting the church in Israel, including the security of religious properties and re-confirmation of the Church’s tax exemptions.


A statement released after the first session said the talks took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, mutual understanding and good will, and produced important progress and hope for yet further advances in the coming months.


The next meeting of the Plenary will take place in the first half of December this year in Israel, and in the meantime the Commission will continue upon its task at the “working level”.