Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Pentecostal Call for Solidarity and Peace
Peace in the Holy Land begins today.
Peace in the Holy Land begins with us.
I call upon all people of good will throughout the world
to share their presence, prayers and voices with us
in universal action on behalf of solidarity and peace
for all people in the Holy Land.
On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2002
we will gather together in Jerusalem
to take our first steps toward the future,
a future filled with profound hope seeking peace
for all the people of Israel and Palestine,
Jews, Christians and Muslims.
On this day of global Pentecost prayers,
in a spirit of solidarity and peace,
we call for the establishment of a Palestinian State,
alongside the State of Israel, already existing 54 years.
We call for an end to the occupation
of one peoples' lives and lands by another people,
that is, Palestinians under the control of Israelis.
We call upon both parties to reject violence,
to resist collective retaliatory actions.
We have shared a tragic past until this very moment.
We call on all peoples today,
both in this still Holy Land,
and throughout the world,
to build with us a shared future
with absolute and unconditional respect
for the sanctity of every life.
We entrust our long search to Almighty God,
seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
H.B. Patriarch Michel Sabbath
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
May 6, 2002