A hope for peace: Vatican, Palestine sign treaty protecting religious liberty
The lands of this world including the Holy Land are meant for Christ and His Church. The Novus Ordo is a heretical sect teaching "human dignity" prevails and has more right than over the Social Kingship of Our Lord's Sacred Heart.
The comprehensive agreement signed on Friday by the Holy See and the
State of Palestine may serve the twofold goal of stimulating peace in
the Middle East and providing a model for similar treaties with other
Middle East countries.
The text of the treaty was agreed upon May 13, and the document was
signed June 26 in the Apostolic Palace by Archbishop Paul Gallagher,
Secretary for Relations with States (the Vatican's 'foreign minister'),
and by Riad al-Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of
Palestine.
The Vatican-Palestinian agreement recognizes freedom of religion in
Palestine, and outlines the rights and obligations of the Church, its
agencies, and its personnel in the territory. The comprehensive
agreement follows upon a “basic agreement” which was signed in February
2000.
It backs a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and
Palestinians, though the bulk of the agreement regards freedom of
religion and conscience, as well as the Church's freedom of action, its
staff and jurisdiction, legal status, places of worship, social and
charitable activity, and use of communications media. It also includes
issues of a fiscal and proprietary nature.
In an address following the signing, Archbishop Gallagher underscored
that the agreement is signed with the State of Palestine, and that “this
is indicative of the progress made by the Palestinian Authority in
recent years, and above all of the level of international support, which
culminated in the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United
Nations of 29 November 2012, which recognized Palestine as non member
Observer State at the United Nations.”
Archbishop Gallagher voiced hope “that the present Agreement may in some
way be a stimulus to bringing a definitive end to the long-standing
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continues to cause suffering for
both parties. I also hope that the much desired two-State solution may
become a reality as soon as possible.”
“This certainly requires courageous decisions, but it will also offer a
major contribution to peace and stability in the region.”
For his part, al-Malki noted that the agreement's provisions “span the
shared vision of the two Parties for peace and justice in the region,
the protection of fundamental freedoms, the status and protection of
Holy Sites, and the means of enhancing and furthering the presence and
activities of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Palestine.”
He noted that “for the first time, the Agreement includes an official
recognition by the Holy See of Palestine as a State, in recognition of
the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom and
dignity in an independent state of their own, free from the shackles of
occupation. It also supports the vision for peace and justice in the
region in accordance with international law and based on two states,
living side by side in peace and security, on the basis of the 1967
borders.”
He drew attention to Palestine's special status as “the birthplace of
Christianity and as the cradle of monolithic religions,” saying the
agreement “embodies our shared values of freedom, dignity, tolerance,
co-existence, and equality of all. This comes at a time when extremism,
barbaric violence, and ignorance threaten the social fabric and cultural
identity of the region and indeed of human heritage. At this backdrop,
the State of Palestine reiterates its commitment to combat extremism,
and to promote tolerance, freedom of consciousness and religion, and to
equally safeguard the rights of all its citizens.”
“These are the values and principles that reflect the beliefs and
aspirations of the Palestinian people and its leadership, and they are
the pillars upon which we continue to endeavor to establish our
independent and democratic State.”
The Palestinian foreign minister added that the agreement “upholds the
Church's standing as an important contributor to the lives of many
Palestinians.”
Archbishop Gallagher commented that he is pleased that “guarantees have
been given for the work of the Catholic Church and her institutions.
Catholics do not seek any privilege other than continued cooperation
with their fellow-citizens for the good of society. I am also pleased to
say that the local Church, which has been actively involved in the
negotiations, is satisfied with the goal attained and is happy to see
the strengthening of its good relations with the civil Authorities.”
He added that the agreement “offers a good example of dialogue and
cooperation” in the Middle East, “and I earnestly hope that this may
serve as a model for other Arab and Muslim majority countries. With this
in mind, I would like to emphasize the importance of the chapter
dedicated to freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.”
A Vatican observer who took part in the negotiations told CNA that the
agreement is particularly important because it is the first of its kind
signed with a majority Muslim country, in which the state juridically
acknowledges the Holy See and clearly recognizes freedom of conscience,
“as has never been done in the past.”
Vincenzo Buonomo, an adviser to Vatican City State, wrote in L’Osservatore Romano
that “the explicit acknowledgement of authentic conscientious objection
as a practice consistent with the right of freedom of thought, belief,
and religion is notable for its current relevance.”
Buonomo also stressed that value of the agreement is given by the
participation of the Palestinian Catholic community in the negotiations,
which began in 2010. “The local Church has been shown to be an
effective agent, providing a valuable contribution not only towards the
consolidation of the ecclesial reality, but also to the image of
Palestine and the Holy Land as a whole,” wrote Buonomo.
The Israeli foreign ministry reacted to the treaty's signing with a
statement expressing its “regret regarding the Vatican decision to
officially recognize the Palestinian Authority as a state.”
The Israeli foreign minister stressed that this “hasty step damages the
prospects for advancing a peace agreement, and harms the international
effort to convince the Palestinian Authority to return to direct
negotiations with Israel.”
“Israel cannot accept the unilateral determinations in the agreement
which do not take into account Israel's essential interests and the
special historic status of the Jewish people in Jerusalem,” the
statement read.
The foreign ministry also announced that “Israel will study the
agreement in detail, and its implications for future cooperation between
Israel and the Vatican.”
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/a-hope-for-peace-vatican-palestine-sign-treaty-protecting-religious-liberty-56496/
1 Thessalonians 5:3
For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
Vatican signs treaty with 'State of Palestine', calls for two-state solution
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's "foreign minister", said the agreement “may in some way be a stimulus to bringing a definitive end to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict”
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/palestina-palestine-palestina-41996/
Holy See seals first treaty with State of Palestine
Israeli Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the Vatican’s decision.
"This offensive step hurts the chances of reaching a peace agreement and moves the Palestinian leadership further away from returning to direct bilateral relations,” it said in a statement.Israel’s own agreement with the Vatican over the status of the Church in Israel remains in the making after 16 years of negotiations. The issues of taxation, expropriation and the status of over 20 sites in the country are at a dispute.
http://rt.com/news/269983-vatican-palestine-first-treaty/
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