“Compelled” to dialogue

Looking at the solution to conflicts that marked the history of other Countries as a source of strength, stimulating ideas that will put an end to the ten-year crisis that precipitated the Holy Land and the Middle East in a spiral of violence of which Gaza is only the last tragic example. This is the reflection proposed to Daniele Rocchi, SIR Europe correspondent in Bethlehem, by Msgr. Eamon Martin, Secretary General of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, during his first visit to the Holy Land. Mrs. Martin is a member of the coordinating body of European and US Bishops (CCEE-COMECE), who convened in Bethlehem these past days for the annual solidarity visit to the Holy Land Church and its Christian Communities. What contribution can European Churches give to solving the Middle-Eastern question? “The situation is extremely complex. The committee for the Holy Land, represented by bishops of the different European and North-American Bishops Conferences, aims at promoting within the Churches and ecclesial bodies such as CCEE and COMECE, a common vision of the problem at stake. For this purpose, meetings with the local Christian communities, who are part of the problem, represent the first step leading to an understanding of the overall complex picture of the situation. Learning more about the problem will further the development a common approach aimed at the resolution of the crisis”. What do you mean by common approach? “Closely listening to the claims of the local population in order to understand their view of the crisis they have been subjected to for many years. In addition to this, we feel the need to act with great attention in this area, since fear and counter-reactions have become the tragic companions of the local populations. They must be helped achieve the best possible solution and placement within this tormented region. This was my first visit to the Holy Land, and I was most impressed by the personal testimonies of these people, firm in their generous reception of the pilgrim and their hope in the future. But they are also tired of ongoing useless violence”. Is this an explicit encouragement to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land? “Pilgrimage surely is the privileged tool for European Churches, but it’s not enough. It is necessary to draw near the Holy Land in order to make a powerful experience of faith and fraternal sharing. It’s important that during the pilgrimages the faithful are given the opportunity of learning more about the Christian communities living in the Holy Land. Not only: we must join their prayers and convey our spiritual and material support”.This Land also necessitates political solutions. In this framework, it must be noted that until today, the international community, Europe above all, didn’t come up with a concrete proposal. Do you agree? “This is probably true. However, despite the failures, dialogue remains the privileged option in the political and diplomatic areas of intervention. As a Church we can however exert moral pressure. Another task lies in the hands of politics that are called to bring around the negotiating table the parties at stake for ceaseless negotiations aimed at the achievement of a joint solution. This is what I learned in my experience in Northern Ireland, which is where I come from”. The conflict in Northern Ireland: do you find similarities with the Israel-Palestinian issue? “I can only say that the war ended when the opposing factions were compelled to sit together around a table to find a common solution. By confronting each other they were able to learn more of their reciprocal views and opinions regarding a solution to the conflict under way. I think we have a lot to learn from the solution to wars found in other countries. Something is already happening. We visited universities where we saw young Arab and Jewish students engaging in dialogue and confronting one another, as happened in Ireland ten years ago between Catholics and Protestants. Violence can be stopped by engaging in dialogue at all levels, not only at political level. Ireland can serve as an example and a lesson to be followed by the Holy Land”.