HOLY LAND: THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE LATIN PATRIARCH SABBAH (2)

” “Hence his warning to Israel: "those who are strong, those who have everything in their hands, those who impose occupation on to the other side have a duty to see what is right for everyone and be so brave as to accomplish it". Another crucial point addressed by Sabbah is the problem of the visas: "a problem that has never been resolved, the one of the entry visas to the country for the priests and religious people who, because of their faith, have obligations and rights in this land. A state in this country is not a state like any other, it has some special duties which derive from the holiness of this land and its universal bent. A state in this country must appreciate that the land is given it to respect it and to promote its universal bent; therefore it must be properly able to welcome people". About the creation of religious states in the Holy Land, as feared by "someone", Sabbah is clear: "no religious state can be created, because one would rule out the other or would put the believers of the other religions in a state of inferiority. Any state which rules out another or discriminates those who are against it does not befit the land that was made holy by God for all mankind. The religious and political leaders – he concludes – must be aware that the holiness of this land lies not in the ruling out of one or the other religion, but in the ability of every religion to welcome, respect and love all those who inhabit this land".” “