"Being aware of the challenges, including the pastoral challenges, that are thrown at the Christians in the Holy Land, promoting inter-religious dialogue and meeting the Israeli and Palestinian political leaders". These are the goals, according to Father Pierre Grech, secretary general of the Latin Bishops Conference of the Arab Regions (Celra), of the next meeting which will bring to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, from 11th to 18th January 2007, the Bishops of the Coordination of the Bishops Conference in support of the Holy Land, hosted by the assembly of the local Catholic ordinaries. "This is says to SIR Father Grech the seventh visit to the Holy Land of the Coordination, which represents the Council of the European Bishops Conferences (Ccee), the Commission of the EU Bishops Conferences (Comece) alongside Bishops from Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. As pilgrims, they are going to support the process of peace and reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis". Once again, this year meetings will be held with the Israeli prime minister Olmert and the Palestinian prime minister Abu Mazen, plus a visit in Gaza and Nazareth. Other items on the agenda include meetings with the local communities and Druze, Islamic and Jewish leaders. A final report will be released at the end of the visit.
