ZENIT
News Agency, The World Seen from
Rome
==================================================
Holy Land Violence Strains Catholic
Population
JERUSALEM, JULY 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).-
The Custos of the Holy Land says
that residents are both worried and
incredulous over the clash between
Israel and Lebanon.
Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa,
Franciscan custos of the Holy Land,
is concerned about the safety of the
local Catholic community and of
pilgrims.
"Absolute security -- I must be
sincere -- does not exist; however,
I believe that pilgrims are almost
completely out of danger," he
explained on Vatican Radio.
"I do not believe Nazareth is a
target of the Lebanese guerrillas,
because it is inhabited by Arabs.
Instead, I think that Hezbollah will
hit especially areas inhabited by
Israelis and not by Arabs," he
added.
The local community lives the
situation hour by hour "with great
concern, as do all, of course," he
said.
"We still cannot believe that the
situation is degenerating so rapidly
and in such a negative way. But we
trust! Possibilities still exists
that it will stop and that good
sense will prevail. But for the time
being we are witnessing an unlimited
explosive violence."
"The civilian population, especially
in the north, seems to be somewhat
resigned, frightened and
incredulous," he said. "The
population is divided between those
who think the end of the
confrontations is close and those
instead who are very worried and are
preparing for the worst."
ZE06071707
|
|