Vatican, Israel make progress on financial, juridical issues

Published: 2007-05-22

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Vatican and Israeli representatives said they finally have a concrete plan for reaching an agreement on financial and juridical issues related to Catholic institutions in Israel. "The talks took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, mutual understanding and good will, and produced important progress and hope for yet further advances in the coming months," said a joint statement issued after the representatives met May 21 at the Vatican. The meeting marked the first time in five years that the full membership of the bilateral permanent working commission met to discuss the issues related to church property, taxation and the legal rights of church institutions in Israel. When the Vatican and Israel agreed in late 1993 to establish full diplomatic relations, they also agreed to set up a joint commission to negotiate an agreement on the church's legal status and related financial issues. The commission's work has been marked by long periods of inactivity. Aaron Abramovich, director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and head of the Israeli delegation, told reporters later: "It was a really good day. We believe we are on the right track." A series of subcommission meetings have been planned over the next six months, he said, and then the entire commission is to meet again in Jerusalem in early December.

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