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(Vatican Radio) The Permanent Observer to United Nations Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic has offered an intervention at the United Nations International Conference in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

“The Holy See believes that the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians can move forward only if it is directly negotiated between the Parties,” Archbishop Jurkovic said, with the strong support of the international community, as this international conference is meant to catalyze.”

He re-affirmed the Holy See’s support for a “two-state solution,” citing affirmations of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

However, Archbishop Jurkovic said, “the Holy See also believes that the whole peace process does not depend solely on formal negotiations, no matter how indispensable these are.” He insisted, “Peace cannot be achieved if healing and reconciliation, mutual recognition and respect at the personal and communitarian levels do not accompany political solutions.”

He also noted the importance of religions and believers in the peace process in the region: “They must put an end to mutual hatred that is lending credence to a ‘clash of civilizations’.” The Holy See, he said, “reiterates its appeal to all religious leaders to denounce and reject every spurious form and perversion of religion to foment violence, and to hold on to the conviction that peace is not only possible and desirable, but is our common call and duty.”

Below, please find the full text of the Intervention of Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations International Conference in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace:

PEACE IS POSSIBLE – FRAMEWORKS FOR A WAY FORWARD

Geneva, 29 June 2016

Mr. Chair,

The Holy See commends the United Nations Committee for the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for organizing this conference to consider lessons learned from past Peace Conferences, build upon achievements, however modest they might have been, and identify new ideas in the emerging approaches, in order to provide an ever stronger international support to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Palestinian Question has been asked, and remains unsatisfactorily answered since the birth of the United Nations. Almost sixty-nine years after its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 181 remains only half-fulfilled. Decades of negotiations have failed to achieve the creation of a Palestinian State.

The lack of substantive negotiations taking place lately, the spiraling of acts of violence and serious doubts about the continued validity of the Oslo Accords not only demonstrate that the Question has not been solved, but, on the contrary, they seem to indicate that it is becoming increasingly intractable. In recent years, other very serious conflicts, in particular the Syrian tragedy, have added to the complexity of the problems in the region.

The Holy See has always favored the two-State solution. Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed this principle during his 2009 visit of the Holy Land, when he said: “Let it be universally recognized that the State of Israel has the right to exist, and to enjoy peace and security within internationally agreed borders. Let it be likewise acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely. Let the two-state solution become a reality, not remain a dream.”

Pope Francis reiterated the same principle in Bethlehem in 2014, when he affirmed: “The time has come for everyone to find the courage to be generous and creative in the service of the common good, the courage to forge a peace which rests on the acknowledgment by all of the right of two States to exist and to live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders.” The time is long overdue to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has become increasingly unacceptable.

The Holy See believes that the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians can move forward only if it is directly negotiated between the Parties, with the strong support of the international community, as this international conference is meant to catalyze. Israel and Palestine are called to make courageous decisions, if both are to enjoy security, prosperity and peaceful co-existence side-by-side with internationally recognized borders. Israelis and Palestinians have suffered too long from the misguided view that their differences can be solved by force. Only sustained negotiations, entered into in good faith, will resolve the conflicts and bring peace to the peoples of Israel and Palestine. The Holy See strongly believes that both Israelis and Palestinians, in the depth of their hearts, profoundly long for peace.

The Holy See also believes that the whole peace process does not depend solely on formal negotiations no matter how indispensable these are. Peace cannot be achieved if healing and reconciliation, mutual recognition and respect at the personal and communitarian levels do not accompany political solutions. For this reason, my delegation is pleased that this Conference is going to consider the role of civil society and track II diplomacy in taking stock of the next steps in the peace process.

The Middle East should be a fertile ground for civil society and track II diplomacy, including faith-based “informal diplomacy”. As a cradle of great civilizations and the birthplace of the three main monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the Middle East is fit to foster the involvement of civil society and track II diplomacy in peacemaking and peacebuilding.

Religions and believers, in particular, must prove themselves worthy of their rightful place in the whole process of pacification in the region. They must put an end to mutual hatred that is lending credence to a “clash of civilizations.” My delegation believes that the more religion is manipulated to justify acts of terror and violence, the more religious leaders must be engaged in the overall effort to defeat the violence that attempts to hijack it. Spurious religious fervor must be countered by authentic religious instruction and by the example of authentic communities of faith. In this regard, the Holy See reiterates its appeal to all religious leaders to denounce and reject every spurious form and perversion of religion to foment violence, and to hold on to the conviction that peace is not only possible and desirable, but is our common call and duty.

There is a strong nexus between religion and diplomacy, between faith-based “informal diplomacy” and the formal diplomacy of States and multilateral bodies. Strengthening this nexus could make a strong positive contribution to the overall effort to achieve peace for all Israelis and Palestinians, and for all the inhabitants of the region.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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(Vatican Radio) On Monday, prosecutors in the so-called ‘Vatileaks 2’ case presented their conclusions and recommendations for punishment.

Five people are on trial for obtaining and leaking confidential Vatican documents, which were later published in two books.

Two of them – Msgr. Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda and Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui – were members of the COSEA Commission, which studied possible reforms of the Vatican financial system in 2013-2014. A third - Nicola Maio – was a secretary to Msgr. Vallejo.

Also on trial are the authors of the two books: Journalists Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi.

Prosecutors assert Chaouqui was the prime instigator of the crime, and recommend she be given a sentence of 3 years and nine months.

For Msgr. Vallejo Balda, they recommend a sentence of 3 years and 1 month of imprisonment.

For Mr. Maio, whom prosecuters said had “limited responsibility and involvement” in the conspiracy, the recommendation is a sentence of  1 year and 9 months.

A 1-year jail term is recommended for journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, while the other journalist, Emiliano Fittipaldi, is recommended for acquittal due to lack of evidence.

The defense is expected to conclude its presentation on Wednesday.

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is urging governments to find a political solution to the war in Syria.

In a video message released on Tuesday in support of a new Caritas Internationalis campaign, "Syria: Peace is Possible", the Pope reiterates his belief that “there is no military solution for Syria, only a political one”.

“The international community must therefore support peace talks towards the building of a national unity government” he says.

And, Pope Francis continues: “I invite you to ask those who are involved in peace talks to take these agreements seriously and to commit to facilitating access to humanitarian aid.”
   
“While the people suffer, an incredible amount of money is being spent on giving fighters weapons. Some of the countries providing these arms are also those talking of peace. How can one believe in those who caress you with the right hand while hitting you with the left?” the Pope says.

Caritas, the Catholic Church’s global network of humanitarian agencies, provides food, healthcare, basic needs, education, shelter, counselling, protection and livelihoods in Syria and to refugees in host countries. 

National Caritas organisations reached 1.3 million people last year alone.

Dealing with the humanitarian consequences of the five year war in Syria it is the largest Caritas relief operation in the world. 

Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Michel Roy, told Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni that Caritas is launching a new website to support the campaign and it is urging people across the globe to take action:

Listen: 

Michel Roy explains that Caritas Internationalis’ reinforced campaign for “Peace in Syria” is also a response to repeated pleas on the part of its colleagues in Syria and in the whole of the Middle East that more be done “to help them get out of that war that is imposed upon them”.

That’s why, he explains, Caritas has decided to move ahead with three requests: 

“First, he says, to pray for an end to this war in Syria because we do believe that in the situation we are facing now prayer has a role to play”.

“Second: We challenge our respective governments – and this campaign is a world campaign because we believe that every government in the world has to engage in some way, they cannot remain indifferent to what is going on – we cannot  leave it just to the main powers (the EU, Russia the US) – everyone has something to do. And so we are asking all our members to reach out to their MPs, to their Ministers of Foreign Affairs, to their Heads of State or of Government, to mobilise them so they will do something”.

What we want, Roy says, is that the ceasefire is maintained and extended to other areas in Syria, because first hand witnesses say that the ceasefire, when it is respected, does bring a lot of relief to the people. 
And, he continues, we are asking for more engagement  in political discussions.

“Whoever, in Syria, has to be at the table – has to be at the table – and the supporting powers just have to facilitate, ensure that all parties sit at the table and that a political solution is found” he says.

“The third request, he says, is to increase the humanitarian support that is needed because so many are trapped in Syria, or have been displaced”.

Roy says the international community is not coming up with enough money to respond to the demand, that’s why we all have to ask our respective governments to engage in more humanitarian support.

He speaks about Pope Francis’ support for the campaign pointing out that the video message is for Caritas members but also for all Christians and men and women of goodwill.

Roy points out that the Pope supports the Caritas initiative with all of its requests but he adds one point which is important which is “we cannot believe that there is not enough money to support the people who are suffering when so much more money is engaged in arms deals”.

“He is wondering if the countries that supply the arms can be believed in their efforts for peace because they are the ones talking about peace on one side, and they are selling arms on the other,  so Pope Francis is questioning what their real motivation is” he says.    
  
The new “Syria: Peace is Possible” Caritas website can be found at syria.caritas.org . It includes specially commissioned artwork from Syrian artist Tammam Azzam, an animated film on the war, an award winning photo series and testimony from Syrians living both inside the country and as refugees in bordering nations and beyond.

You can also follow the campaign on Twitter #peacepossible4syria @iamCaritas 

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Vatican City, Jul 5, 2016 / 04:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his message for a new campaign promoting peace in Syria, Pope Francis called out world leaders who speak of ending the conflict, but at the same time fund the war through the sale of arms.

“While the people suffer, incredible quantities of money are being spent to supply weapons to fighters,” the Pope said in his video message, published July 5.  

He noted that some of the countries supplying the weapons “are also among those that talk of peace. How can you believe in someone who caresses you with the right hand and strikes you with the left hand?”

Francis encouraged people of all ages throughout the world to use the Holy Year of Mercy as an occasion to “overcome indifference and proclaim with strength that peace in Syria is possible! Peace in Syria is possible!”

His message accompanied the launch of a new campaign by Catholic charity organization Caritas Internationalis titled “Syria: peace is possible.”

The Syrian civil war, already in its fifth year, is the largest relief operation undertaken by Caritas. Since the conflict began it has claimed the lives of more than 270,000 people. There are more than 4.6 million Syrian refugees in nearby countries, and an additional 8 million Syrian people are believed to have been internally displaced by the war.

Among other things, Caritas provides food, healthcare, essential necessities, education, housing and psychological care to refugees. In 2015 alone national Caritas branches in the conflict area provided assistance to 1.3 million people.

In their campaign, promoted on Twitter and other social media sites with the hashtag: “#peacepossible4syria,” asks that Caritas supporters throughout the world “put pressure on their governments,” according to a July 5 press release.

This pressure, the release read, ought to ensure that all parties involved in the conflict “unite to find a peaceful solution;” that they support the thousands of people suffering due to the consequences of war and that they provide Syrians both inside and outside the country “dignity and hope.”

In his message, Pope Francis said that the Syrian conflict is a situation of “unspeakable suffering” and “saddens my heart a lot.”

Syrian people, he noted, “are victims” of this suffering and are “forced to survive under bombs or to find escape routes to other countries or areas of Syria that are less war-torn: to leave their own home, everything.”

He also turned his thoughts to the Christian communities and the “discrimination they have to bear,” giving them his full support.

Francis extended the invitation for people and world leaders everywhere to pray for peace in Syria and for its citizens at events such as prayer vigils, awareness-raising initiatives, in parishes and in communities, so that the message of peace, unity and hope is spread.

“Works of peace then follow prayer,” he said, and urged those involved in peace negotiations “to take these agreements seriously and to make every effort to facilitate access to humanitarian aid.”

Everyone must recognize that “there is no military solution for Syria, but only a political solution,” he continued, stressing that the international community “must therefore support the peace talks heading towards the construction of a government of national unity.”

Pope Francis encouraged people at all levels of society to “join forces” in ensuring that “peace in Syria is possible.” That, he said, “will be a great example of mercy and love lived for the good of all the international community!”

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