European, American bishops support those seeking Holy Land peace

Published: 2005-01-17

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Bishops from Europe and North America visiting the Holy Land expressed support for people who pursue "practical steps that will enable the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in this land with dignity, in two states, in security and equity." "At this important moment, we seek to encourage and support all who strive for justice and so pursue peace," the bishops said in a statement issued Jan. 13 following four days of meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Moshe Katsav, scholars, community and religious leaders. "Peace here is vital for world peace," said the bishops, who met in the Holy Land Jan. 10-13 in a gesture of solidarity with Christians. Among the signers of the statement were Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, England, vice president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and delegate to the Council of European Bishops' Conferences; and Archbishop Brendan O'Brien of St. John's, Newfoundland, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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