Archbishop of Westminster meets Palestinian President, calls for urgent progress on
peace process
(Vatican Radio) The Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of England and Wales, Vincent Nichols has met Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas to discuss the “urgent” need for progress on the peace process between Palestinians
and Israelis. The two, who met Tuesday in London, also agreed on the importance of
the continuing support of the Church in England and Wales for all in the Holy Land.
Archbishop Nichols said “promoting a just peace for all in the Holy Land is a crucial
issue which affects the whole world.”
The Archbishop’s office issued the following
statement regarding Tuesday’s meeting:
President Abbas said that the presence
of Christians in the Holy Land was vital as they are not viewed as a minority but
an integral part of the Palestinian community. He thanked the Church in this country
for its work in supporting a peaceful solution, for its advocacy, for helping projects
in Palestine and told of the Palestinian Authority’s collaboration with the Latin
Patriarchate in Jerusalem on house building projects to enable Christians to remain
in Jerusalem. He said he was encouraged by Mr Kerry’s serious intent about the outstanding
peace initiative, reiterating the importance of a negotiated peace, but warned that
the continuing expansion of settlements on Palestinian land posed a major threat to
progress. Of particular concern is the cutting off of East Jerusalem from the rest
of Palestine, he said.
Archbishop Nichols said the work of the Holy Land Co-ordination,
mandated by the Holy See, was an important sign of the Catholic Church’s concern and
support for all in the Holy Land. He also drew attention to Friends of the Holy Land,
the UK charity that helps and supports Palestinian Christians in a number of practical
ways.
“I was pleased and honoured to meet with President Abbas and his delegation,”
he said. “This gave an added dimension to our many visits and the continuing work
of the Holy Land Co-ordination, which will go out again in January. Promoting a just
peace for all in the Holy Land is a crucial issue which affects the whole world.”
President
Abbas called for further help from the Archbishop and all Christians on the specific
issue of Cremisan, where the building of the Security Wall and the illegal appropriation
of Christians’ lands in Beit Jala (a suburb of Bethlehem) was affecting livelihoods
and leading to accelerated emigration of Christians from the area.
Archbishop
Nichols said that Christians in England and Wales would continue to pray for peace
and for the people in the Holy Land, while continuing to support them in practical
ways.
The Archbishop of Westminster was also accompanied by Archbishop Kelly,
emeritus Archbishop of Liverpool and representatives of Archbishop Justin Welby, the
Rev Toby Howarth and Charles Reed, who expressed the concern of the Archbishop of
Canterbury about the situation. The meeting followed discussions between President
Abbas and John Kerry, US secretary of State, about getting the peace process back
on track. Sir Vincent Fean, British Consul General to Jerusalem, represented the British
government, whose leaders the Palestinian delegation will meet Wednesday.
President
Abbas will be meeting with Pope Francis next month.