Franciscan Father Says Violence in Gaza is Only a Symptom

(21 Jan 09-RV) The Apostolic Nuncio in the Holy Land, Archbishop Antonio Franco, today visited Gaza to personally consign aid given by Pope Benedict to the suffering population. After celebrating mass in the Parish Church of the Holy Family, the Pope’s delegate spoke with many of the families victims of the recent attacks.Residents are slowly beginning to realize the extent of the damage, which Palestinian authorities estimate at nearly 2 billion US dollars. An expert on politics and religion in the Holy Land, Franciscan Fr. David Maria Jaeger, told Chris Altieri the recent violence is only a symptom of a larger problem that can only be resolved by the achievement of a real, lasting peace…