ROME, Sep. 6, 00 (CWNews.com/Fides) - Italian representatives of Catholic religious orders in the Holy Land that have custody of shrines and holy places have asked Catholics of the world to pressure the Israeli government to stop the «irresponsible decision» to allow the building of a mosque in front of the basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, putting the «famous shrine under siege,» according to the Fides news service.
Land-clearing operations began on Monday, preparing for the construction of the mosque, which has caused concerned for all the Christian Churches in the Holy Land. During an August 14 visit to Rome, Israeli government minister Shlomo Ben Ami, one of those responsible for the decision to allow the construction of the mosque, «reassured» the Vatican regarding respect for Christian holy places in Israel and Jerusalem.
Christians and Muslims have argued, sometimes violently, over the land next to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth with Christians claiming it as their own and wanting to build a plaza to accommodate pilgrims and with Muslims declaring the land belonged to them and planning a huge mosque on the site. Israel's government stepped into the debate last year and gave most of the site to the Muslims, allowing them to build a smaller mosque. Christian leaders then protested by closing churches throughout the Holy Land for two days. Muslim leaders persisted, laying the cornerstone for the new mosque, but Israel put a hold on plans, waiting until tempers had cooled.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs