Comments on: Should Pope Benedict visit Gaza? – A response to Deal Hudson http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/ Politics and Culture from a Catholic perspective. Wed, 23 May 2012 03:17:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Andy Dyer http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/#comment-22630 Andy Dyer Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:38:20 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=7217#comment-22630 How can Catholics of the world show such utter disdain for the brave Catholics of Palestine? They're suffering terribly from the failed state they're living in (including attacks from their traumatised neighbours). But they're trying to hang on, trying not to be forced from their homeland by the occupation. The Catholic father in Gaza, running his mixed school, is Manuel Musallam, a courageous man indeed. If he ever leaves his flock, Israel has told him he'll never be able to get back in. He goes months with no visitors able to come and see him. Shame on the Pope for deserting a man of the cloth in such need! How can Catholics of the world show such utter disdain for the brave Catholics of Palestine? They’re suffering terribly from the failed state they’re living in (including attacks from their traumatised neighbours). But they’re trying to hang on, trying not to be forced from their homeland by the occupation. The Catholic father in Gaza, running his mixed school, is Manuel Musallam, a courageous man indeed. If he ever leaves his flock, Israel has told him he’ll never be able to get back in. He goes months with no visitors able to come and see him. Shame on the Pope for deserting a man of the cloth in such need!

]]> By: Earl Shugerman http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/#comment-22629 Earl Shugerman Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:54:51 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=7217#comment-22629 I actually live in Israel and work as an interfaith represenative in Haifa. Most Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Israel live together in peace. Most people on both sides of the border have been unfairly stereotyped. The Pope should have the right to go anywhere that he chooses without the political hot air getting in the way. His visit could help promote peace; but I did not know that he represents the United Nations? He is the leader of The Catolic Church I actually live in Israel and work as an interfaith represenative in Haifa. Most Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Israel live together in peace. Most people on both sides of the border have been unfairly stereotyped. The Pope should have the right to go anywhere that he chooses without the political hot air getting in the way. His visit could help promote peace; but I did not know that he represents the United Nations? He is the leader of The Catolic Church

]]> By: Jesse http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/#comment-22628 Jesse Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:27:19 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=7217#comment-22628 The Holy Father doesn't need to go to Gaza. A symbolic gesture of solidarity such as allowing a little Catholic child from Gaza to visit the Pope in the Holy Land would suffice. The persecuted and suffering members of the Church Militant are spread throught the world, not always telvised and without lobby groups, from the gang-infested barrios of East LA to the terrorist-infested slums of Southern Philippines. The Holy Father doesn’t need to go to Gaza. A symbolic gesture of solidarity such as allowing a little Catholic child from Gaza to visit the Pope in the Holy Land would suffice. The persecuted and suffering members of the Church Militant are spread throught the world, not always telvised and without lobby groups, from the gang-infested barrios of East LA to the terrorist-infested slums of Southern Philippines.

]]> By: dymphna http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/#comment-22627 dymphna Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:34:32 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=7217#comment-22627 If the Israelis suddenly left life wouldn't be any better for the Arab Christians. Indeed, the Palestininas would just have more time to persecute them. If the Israelis suddenly left life wouldn’t be any better for the Arab Christians. Indeed, the Palestininas would just have more time to persecute them.

]]> By: Donald R. McClarey http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/#comment-22626 Donald R. McClarey Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:45:15 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=7217#comment-22626 A good article here as to how Palestinian Christians are often treated by Palestinian Muslims. http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=381&PID=470&IID=2406 Blaming Israel for the plight of Palestian Christians ignores the simple fact that native Christians are usually treated as third class citizens throughout the Arab world. The best assistance that native Christians in a majority Arab muslim culture can receive from their fellow Christians in the West is a one way ticket to the West. 35% of Palestinian Christians have emigrated in the past four decades. They are the fortunate ones. A good article here as to how Palestinian Christians are often treated by Palestinian Muslims.

http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=381&PID=470&IID=2406

Blaming Israel for the plight of Palestian Christians ignores the simple fact that native Christians are usually treated as third class citizens throughout the Arab world. The best assistance that native Christians in a majority Arab muslim culture can receive from their fellow Christians in the West is a one way ticket to the West. 35% of Palestinian Christians have emigrated in the past four decades. They are the fortunate ones.

]]> By: Donna V. http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/04/13/should-pope-benedict-visit-gaza-a-response-to-deal-hudson/#comment-22625 Donna V. Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:07:16 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=7217#comment-22625 I strongly agree with both Matt and Lex. Might does not automatically make right, but that does not mean the weaker party automatically has moral superiority. If the Palestinians laid down their arms, they would have peace - and their own state. If the Israelis laid down their arms, they would perish. The Hamas charter specifically calls for the destruction of Israel. The Palestinians, and the Arab world in general, have stated openly time and time again that their ultimate goal is to drive the Jews into the sea. Why is it so hard for so many people to take them at their own word? I strongly agree with both Matt and Lex. Might does not automatically make right, but that does not mean the weaker party automatically has moral superiority. If the Palestinians laid down their arms, they would have peace – and their own state. If the Israelis laid down their arms, they would perish.

The Hamas charter specifically calls for the destruction of Israel. The Palestinians, and the Arab world in general, have stated openly time and time again that their ultimate goal is to drive the Jews into the sea. Why is it so hard for so many people to take them at their own word?

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