Juillet-Septembre 2012.indd - Patriarcat latin de Jérusalem

178Jérusalem Bulletin diocésain du Patriarcat latinI graciously thank the Italian Bishops, and the CEI (Italian Episcopal Conference)for their manifold and valuable support for many initiatives, particularly insocial and educational fields.We are witnessing with great admiration and deep satisfaction, the expansionof many initiatives, especially in the cultural and educational fields, as is happeningfor example with the American University of Madaba in Jordan (AUM). In thisregard, I am pleased to see that in the exchange of correspondence between us, theUniversity Cooperation in the Middle East ,will be included in this year’s programof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.I am also very grateful to the Italian Government for the support in the realizationof the housing project for Christian families. So I take this opportunity tothank the Director General of the Italian Development Cooperation, Elisabetta Belloni,for her good work in this sector. I am pleased to greet the new Italian ConsulGeneral in Jerusalem, His Excellency, Giampaolo Cantini. I am grateful for hisconstant presence and for his untiring diplomatic and consular efforts, to promotepeace and interreligious dialogue in the Holy Land.Honorable Minister, You already know the Holy Land.We remember that you were the Italian Ambassador to Israel between 2002-2004 ,and at the same time, the Representative of the European Presidency in office.You worked to strengthen ties between this land and the neighboring countries ofEurope, even during the great difficulties of the Second Intifada. 1 I believe that thisexperience allowed you in a particular way, to gain a direct and more in-depth understandingof Middle -East affairs.A few days ago, in your speech at the meeting in Rimini, you expressed significantwords for our time. You said, that the issue of religion has far too long beenmarginalized in Europe, and you quoted the words of Pope Benedict (the)XVI, that“to restrict religious freedom is to foster a reductive vision of the human person.” 2Taking up the theme of your greeting today, you expressed your clear intention andthat of your Government’s commitment, to promote religious freedom, as one of thefundamental human rights, which are, unfortunately, increasingly under threat.Thank you for sharing in our concerns, about the future of Palestinian Christians.It is essential to continue to work together to promote peace in this HolyLand, so afflicted and so devastated. A Peace, however, must be built upon justice,freedom of movement, access to the holy places for the faithful of all religions, withrespect and safety for all.(1) Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site(2) Pope Benedict XVI. World Day of Peace Message, Jan. 1, 2011