Bishop Gregory urges Bush to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace process

Published: 2004-04-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. bishops' conference called on President Bush to take new steps to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In a letter dated April 13, the day before Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Washington, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., urged the U.S. president to help "reverse a seriously deteriorating situation" in the Holy Land. "U.S. leadership is essential if both sides are to escape this spiral of violence and injustice," Bishop Gregory said. He said the Israelis and Palestinians needed "strong support from the international community, especially the United States," to achieve and maintain peace. Bishop Gregory urged Bush to remain committed to the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan, which envisions by 2005 a democratic Palestinian state at peace with Israel.

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