Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories is a “political injustice”, according to a leaked Vatican working document for the forthcoming Middle East Synod of Bishops meeting. “The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories makes daily life difficult for freedom of movement, the economy and social and religious life,” the leaked text quoted by ANSA says.
The Instrumentum Laboris, a working document on an upcoming synod of bishops on the Middle East, was embargoed for release until Monday, when Pope Benedict was to present it during a visit to Cyprus, the Herald-Sun says.
The Vatican document deplores lack of “access to holy places, dependent on military permits accorded to some (and) refused to others for security reasons”, ANSA said.
“Some fundamentalist Christian groups cite the Holy Scriptures to defend the political injustice imposed on the Palestinians, making even more delicate the position of Arab Christians,” the 40-page document says.
The paper was compiled over several months, focusing on the situation of Christians living in the Middle East with the Palestinian issue as a backdrop, ANSA said.
The synod is set for October 10-24 at the Vatican.
SIC: CTHAS