Christian Brother prepares for post in Bethlehem

Published: 2005-01-06

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (CNS) -- Hotels renovated for tourists during the anticipated millennium celebrations are shuttered now. The door chimes of family-operated souvenir shops are quiet and restaurant tables are vacant in the Holy Land. In many cases, the windows are peppered with bullet holes and building facades have been scarred from the impact of bombs. This is the real-life scene where 70-year-old Christian Brother Daniel F. Casey is determined to set up shop. The vice chancellor/president-designate of Bethlehem University in the West Bank plans on teaching a few courses before assuming the leadership position Feb. 1 at the only Christian and Catholic university in the region. "It is a beacon of light in Bethlehem. It shines from the highest hill in Bethlehem and overlooks the entire city," said Brother Casey of the Christian Brothers-run facility during a recent telephone conversation with the Catholic Explorer, Joliet diocesan newspaper. The Catholic educator of more than 45 years said the 31-year-old university has had a good semester of educating Christians, Muslims and Jews in an area torn apart by war.

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