Bishops at Bethlehem University: an oasis of peace
(Vatican Radio) The hopes surrounding Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to the Holy
Land and the challenges faced by Palestinians living in the West Bank were two of
the recurring themes encountered on Tuesday by the Bishops from North America, Europe
and South Africa, who are currently on a pilgrimage of solidarity to the Holy Land.
Susy Hodges is accompanying the bishops on their pilgrimage and filed this report.Listen:
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An
oasis of peace in a land characterized by conflict. This was the apt metaphor used
by the Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University to describe the unique and inspirational
learning environment of this Catholic university attended by Palestinian students
hailing from the local Moslem and Christian communities. During our talks with students
they spoke eloquently about their studies and were quick to reject any labels concerning
their religious affiliation, saying they were first and foremost Palestinians and
proud of it.
But like all the other Palestinians living in the West Bank,
they have to contend with the severe restrictions on movement resulting from Israel’s
separation wall and the checkpoints. It was shocking to learn that a journey from
East Jerusalem to Bethlehem, which previously had only taken 10 or 15 minutes, now
can take up to 2 hours and the worst of it is the sheer unpredictability of how long
it will take to get through a checkpoint.
Asked how they felt about the upcoming
papal visit to Bethlehem, the students smiled broadly and spoke of their delight at
his coming. And those hopes and expectations surrounding Pope Francis’s visit to
the birthplace of Jesus were also discussed during the Bishops’ other encounters on
Tuesday that included a meeting with senior Palestinian official Dr Nabil Shaath
and with the Mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun.
Both of them described it as
an event of great significance that is bound to exert an influence in the ongoing
quest for peace in this Holy Land where so much blood has been spilt.