A short time ago I emailed a nun I know in Syria when I heard that the Syrian government had shut off access to Internet and most phone service, and I asked how things were. I did not know, of course, if she would even get my email, though I was aware she did not have a Syria-based email account and thought that might make a difference. She just wrote back (I do not know how, nor did she say): “Dear Joan, The monastery is completely cut off from the world. No internet, no phones, no cellulars. Patience!” I assured her of my prayers for the Syrian people and for Christians. If I receive updates from her or other friends I have in the region, I’ll keep you posted.
There is always news from or about the Middle East, and yesterday was no exception as the U.N., in a historic vote, admitted the Palestinian Authority as a non-member observer state. The Holy See, which has observer status at the United Nations, issued a statement that I present below in its entirety.
You never know what you’re going to see when you go to St. Peter’s Square and today was no exception! Workers have been erecting the traditional nativity scene in recent weeks but today there was a big yellow circus tent and a merry-go-round! Read on for details and photos! And check youtube.com/joansrome!
VATICAN INSIDER TO FEATURE ARCHBISHOP LONGLEY OF BIRMINGHAM, UK
My guest this week on Vatican Insider is Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, England. We met in October when he was in Rome for the synod on the new evangelization and we spoke about the synod works, and how the Synod Fathers, indeed, all the faithful, are expected to play a role in the new evangelization.
(Photo by Peter Jennings of the archdiocese of Birmingham). Archbishop Longley was appointed to Birmingham by Pope Benedict in October 2009 and was installed as the ninth archbishop in December of that year. In 2010 the Pope appointed him as a member of the newly-erected Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization. He was subsequently named by the Pope as a Synod Father and was named Relator of English Language Working Group B with its moderator, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin.
Listen to Vatican Insider on a Catholic radio station near you (there is a list of U.S. stations at www.ewtn.com) or on Sirius satellite radio. If you live outside the U.S. you can listen to EWTN radio on our web page: click on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” Vatican Insider airs Saturday mornings at 9:30 am (Eastern time) and re-airs Sundays at 4:30 pm (ET). To go to Vatican Insider archives:
http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/file_index.asp?SeriesId=7096&pgnu
HOLY SEE WELCOMES U.N. DECISION ON PALESTINE
The following communique was issued yesterday, November 29 by the Holy See after the vote in the United Nations by 138 member states to endorse the Palestinian Authority’s bid to become a non-member observer state.
“The Holy See has followed actively the steps which have led to this important decision, while striving to remain neutral between the Parties, and to act in accordance with its particular religious nature and universal mission, and in consideration also of its specific attention to the ethical dimension of international problems.
”The Holy See considers, moreover, that today’s vote should be placed within the context of the efforts of giving a definitive solution, with the support of the international community, to the question already dealt with by Resolution 181 of the General Assembly of the United Nations of 29 November 1947. That document is the juridical basis for the existence of two States, one of which has not been constituted in the successive sixty-five years, while the other has already seen the light.
“On 15 May 2009, while departing from “Ben Gurion” International Airport, Tel Aviv, at the conclusion of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI expressed the following: No more bloodshed! No more fighting! No more terrorism! No more war! Instead let us break the vicious circle of violence. Let there be lasting peace based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing. 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.
“In the wake of that appeal, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, speaking before the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011, expressed the hope that the competent Bodies of the United Nations would adopt a decision which would help give concrete implementation to that goal.
“Today’s vote manifests the sentiment of the majority of the international community and recognises a more significant presence to Palestinians within the United Nations. At the same time, it is the conviction of the Holy See that this result does not constitute, per se, a sufficient solution to the existing problems in the Region: which, in fact, can only find an adequate response through the effective commitment to building peace and stability, in justice and in the respect for legitimate aspirations, both of the Israelis and of the Palestinians.
“Therefore, the Holy See, at various times, has invited the leaders of the two Peoples to restart the negotiations in good faith and to avoid actions, or the placing of conditions, which would contradict the declarations of goodwill and the sincere search for solutions which could become secure foundations for a lasting peace. Moreover, the Holy See has made a pressing appeal to the International Community to increase its commitment and to encourage its creativity, through the adoption of suitable initiatives which may help to achieve a lasting peace, that respects the rights of Israelis and of Palestinians. Peace needs courageous decisions!
“Considering the outcome of today’s vote of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and to encourage the International Community, and in particular the Parties directly concerned, towards concrete action in view of the aforementioned objectives – the Holy See welcomes with favour the decision of the General Assembly by which Palestine has become a Non- member Observer State of the United Nations. It is a propitious occasion to recall also the common position that the Holy See and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation expressed in the Basic Agreement of 15 February 2000, intended to support the recognition of a internationally guaranteed special statute for the City of Jerusalem, and aimed, in particular, to safeguarding the freedom of religion and of conscience, the identity and sacred character of Jerusalem as a Holy City, respect for and freedom of access to its Holy Places.”
THE CIRCUS COMES TO VATICAN CITY!
Crossing St. Peter’s Square at any hour of the day or night, any season of the year, is always a joy. It is a magnificent square, whether filled with thousands of visitors under a hot summer sun or deserted in the late evening hours just before closing time of 11 p.m. It is beautiful in the early morning hours of a cool fall day or when the cobblestones glisten in the rain. 
The square always offers a surprise or two and today visitors were greeted by a large and colorful circus tent and a merry-go-round!
The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (seafarers, airline personnel, circus people, refugees, migrants, international students, tourists, nomads and Rom) is sponsoring a meeting for circus people tomorrow in the Paul VI Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Pope Benedict is set to drop by at noon.
Starting at 9 a.m., an estimated 4,000 circus performers and workers will parade from Castel Sant’Angelo to St. Peter’s Square.
The council announced on its website that a Mass for circus people was set for late this afternoon in St. Peter’s basilica.
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