Future of Jerusalem.
Last May, in welcoming a new ambassador from Jordan, Pope John Paul Pope John Paul is the name of two Popes of the Roman Catholic Church: - Pope John Paul I (1978), who named himself in honor of his predecessors, Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. Reigned for only 34 calendar days
- Pope John Paul II (1978–2005), the only Polish Pope.
called for formal recognition of "the sacred and unique character of the Holy City." He reiterated his familiar contention that Jerusalem should be under international sovereignty sovereignty, supreme authority in a political community. The concept of sovereignty has had a long history of development, and it may be said that every political theorist since Plato has dealt with the notion in some manner, although not always explicitly. , so that the holy places of the world's three great monotheistic religions would always be protected. Speaking at a conference on the future of Jerusalem at the end of October, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran Jean-Louis Pierre Cardinal Tauran JCD (born 3 April 1943) is a French prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Roman Curia, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 2003. , the Vatican's chief foreign affairs foreign affairs
pl.n.
Affairs concerning international relations and national interests in foreign countries. official, called the city "a treasure of humanity as a whole."
Rome sees its situation as unique for three reasons: it is regarded as holy by the three great monotheistic religions; it is claimed as a capital by both Israelis and Palestinians; and it is inhabited in·hab·it·ed
adj.
Having inhabitants; lived in: a sparsely inhabited plain.
Adj. 1. inhabited - having inhabitants; lived in; "the inhabited regions of the earth" by a very diverse population. He pointed out that the Vatican has consistently protested against the military occupation of the city since 1967. Once again, he called for international guarantees of open access to it. And he quoted some stirring words of the Holy Father, spoken in 1992:
"What a blessing it would be if this Holy Land, where God spoke and Jesus walked, could become a special place of encounter and prayer for peoples, if this holy city of Jerusalem could be a sign and instrument of peace and reconciliation!"
COPYRIGHT 1998 Catholic Insight
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1998, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
|
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion