Latin Patriarch celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in Bethlehem

(December 26, 2011) The head of Latin rite Catholics in the Holy Land celebrated Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday night in Jesus' traditional birthplace imploring leaders across the Arab world to have ``wisdom, insight and a spirit of selflessness toward their countrymen'' and praying for reconciliation in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and North Africa. Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem also noted the Palestinian campaign to join the United Nations, and complained that the world body was ``less than united'' in its support for the now-stalled initiative. With peace talks at a standstill, the Palestinians are seeking membership as a state in the United Nations and recently gained admission to UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency. The patriarch who is a Palestinian citizen of Jordan criticized the international community for pushing the Palestinians to ``re-engage in a failed peace process'' which has ``left a bitter taste of broken promises and of mistrust.'' Also on Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told a meeting of Christian leaders that he is committed to reaching peace with Israel. Abbas, a Muslim like most Palestinians said, ``The mosque, church and synagogue stand side by side in this Holy Land.''