Bishop Skylstad, in Holy Land, calls Palestinian election 'historic'

Published: 2005-01-10

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called the Palestinian election Jan. 9 a "historic day" for the Palestinians. "The elections might mark a new day for people who are looking toward the future with hope," said Bishop Skylstad, who was in Jerusalem at the invitation of the bishops in the Holy Land for an annual meeting on the problems faced by the region's Christians. "We wish them the best. We need to continue to address (the issues) with prayer and hope as we look to the future in solidarity with people here," Bishop Skylstad said. Also attending the conference were Msgr. William P. Fay, general secretary of the bishops' conference, and John Carr, secretary of the U.S. bishops' Department of Social Development and World Peace. The group observed voting at two polling sites in East Jerusalem and two in Bethlehem, West Bank, where they also celebrated Mass at a Melkite Catholic church and met with local parishioners.

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