• Article Tools
• Print

by Marc Nadeau

May 12, 2009

In his latest book on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, journalist Patrick Tyler quotes a Jewish academic who said, “I happen to believe that both the Arabs and Israelis have unassailable moral arguments, and anyone who does not understand how this is true, cannot understand the true nature of tragedy.”

In itself, this quote truly reflects one of the worst tragedies both in the Middle East and in the Holy Land. Over the years, Arabs and Israelis, Jews and Muslims, have developed powerful lobbies to articulate their message as well as monopolize the political, intellectual and communication agenda in their quest for public approval. But are they truly the sole protagonists in this inextricable situation?

Isn’t the Holy Land also the birthplace and home of Christians? What is being said of their plight? Very little, sadly. 

On Tuesday, Benedict XVI sowed the seeds of change regarding this situation, giving the Holy Land’s Christians a voice, a sense of pride and a sense of belonging in the region. During the Papal Mass at Gethsemane, the pontiff expressed his solidarity with this beleaguered minority with the following words: “I hope my presence here is a sign that you are not forgotten, that your persevering presence and witness are indeed precious in God’s eyes and integral to the future of these lands.”

Addressing the grim situation under which they live – some estimations predict that the Christians in the Holy Land may disappear within two generations – Benedict XVI voiced his optimism when he expressed, “Today I wish to repeat what I have said on other occasions: in the Holy Land there is room for everyone!”

In few words, he told Christians in Israel and under the Palestinian Authority that they are not alone. The Pope and the Church are behind them. Coming from a religious leader who invests a tremendous amount of effort to remain above Israel’s and the Palestinian Authority’s political fray, this claim carries lots of weight. 

If not political, Benedict XVI certainly is an activist. The backbone of his homily was a call not only for Christianity to remain salient in the Holy Land but also – although in a more subtle way – for believers to involve themselves to make sure this happens.

In that sense, this homily reminded me of the one he pronounced last July, during the final Papal Mass at the World Youth Day in Sydney when he called the young pilgrims to become “a new generation of apostles, to bring the world to Christ!”

On the night prior to His arrest, Christ went through torment and agony in Gethsemane.  During that time, His disciples fell asleep, leaving Him alone during this troubling and crucial night.

Today, the new apostles heard the Vicar of Christ loud and clear. And for the sake and the future of Christianity in the Holy Land, we all need to stay awake, remain alert and make sure that our brothers and sisters in Christ have all the support they need in their very difficult and hurtful context. Christianity in the Holy Land is worthy of our sustained efforts.

Tomorrow, the Pope will be in Bethlehem.  I look forward to what he has to say, mere feet away from the Manger. Knowing the style and substance of Benedict XVI, it’ll be worth listening, remembering and implementing in our daily lives.

Marc Nadeau is Headline Bistro's correspondent in Israel during Pope Benedict XVI's pilgrimage there. He will be filing daily stories, photos and observations of the pope's time in Israel, with a focus on the impact of the trip on the local, Catholic community. Marc is a Knight of Columbus in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Deputy Grand Knight of Council #9825.

Related Headlines

• Exclusive: Benedict XVI, the Teacher