JERUSALEM, December 21, 2011 (WAFA) - The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, Wednesday called to establish an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution and 1967 borders, according to a press release published by the Latin Patriarchy in Jerusalem.

In his Christmas message of 2011, Twal commented on the Palestinian request for full United Nations membership in the Security Council, stressing the Patriarchy’s adherence to the Vatican’s clear supportive position of the importance of implementing the two-state solution with security and internationally organized borders.

“We want a just and comprehensive peace to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict… The path is committed but the process is long. I believe firmly and always that negotiation is the best way to resolve the conflict,” he added.

Following is an official Message of Christmas 2011 of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Dear you all, dear inhabitants of the Holy Land (Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and Cypriot), I wish you a Merry Christmas and a new year full of hope and peace in your hearts, your families and your country.

I welcome the present bishops: Bishop Giacinto Marcuzzo, our vicar Patriarcal in Israel, and Bishop Shomali Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem. I also welcome the P. David Neuhaus, our patriarchal vicar in Israel for the Christian community of Hebrew expression, and I thank him for his work.

Friends journalists, welcome. Thank you for your work in regularly covering news of our Diocese, with the truth with a professional consciousness in heart. We know the influence of the media in the changes underway in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

I would like to sketch out a review of this year that ends with you and see what have been its successes and its shortcomings, also share my concerns and especially my expectations at the dawn of this new year.

1. Inter-religious dialogue

Gladly, I site the following event that we need to encourage:

1. I want to thank the Holy Father for having organized at the Vatican on November 10 meeting of the Council of religious leaders in Israel which has the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and respect. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, druze communities still believe in the strength of prayer for more of reconciliation and good neighbourliness. Interreligious dialogue is an indispensable condition to create a climate of trust, friendship and collaboration.

2. The meeting also directly enrolled in the wake of Assisi, where the Pope brought together nearly 300 dignitaries of all beliefs and even non-croyances for a time for dialogue and prayer wishing peace and justice to all peoples. For the second time in history all religions of the world were met in a same place to pray to God, each in its way, for peace in the world. I accept base, it is that religions have any special responsibility to help men to build the peace. Religions are a factors of peace. We condemn all violence against places of worship and religious symbols contempt.

3. The London Conference which took place in July brought together Catholics, protestants, anglicans, Muslims, and Jews at the same table, it is already a positive sign.

4 Yet lately in Amman the second islamo-Catholic Forum brought together senior Catholic and Muslim representatives. We expect these meetings, it is a dissipation of prejudice and considers a reciprocal to get to know our common values and build bridges of good sense and good agreement, without forgetting the importance of the dialogue of daily life in our schools and our different institutions.

2 Ecumenism

In the same line, I would remind the dialogue between Christians. Our 10th and recent meeting of the Council of the churches of the Middle East to Cyprus stressed the willingness of the four families: Catholic, reformed, Oriental Orthodox and Orthodox for more collaboration and efforts to our unit. This title, on invitation of the Synod for the Middle East, we have the intention to unify the date of the feast of Passover. We do so, worn by the desire of our Lord and the unanimous will of the Christian people of the Holy land.

I would also underline a happy point following the meeting of the Catholic Oriental Patriarchs that took place in the Lebanon from 14 to 17 November. Indeed, we have welcomed the Patriarch Kyrill Moscow who invited us to visit him in Russia to strengthen our relations. I can only welcome me.

3 Arab spring and situation of Christians

I would also of course return on current events in the Arab countries that we follow closely. I always defended the change for more democracy and freedom. I even wished several times that Christians are not these movements. That said, I fervently that respected human rights and the dignity of each. I hope that the competent authorities can all implement to calm the spirits without violence and protect the minorities who are part of these peoples. Need to take this time to build a new society based on equal citizenship for all. With the Catholic Patriarchs of the East we asked our followers to set a day of prayer for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East.

4. Requests for membership of a Palestinian State in the United Nations

We want a just and comprehensive peace to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and we adhere to the position taken by the Holy See, which is clear on the solution of two States with security and internationally recognized borders. I also often said that be with one of the parties does not mean be against the other. We are for the welfare of the world: peace, security, mutual respect and dignity. The path is committed but the process is long. I believe firmly and always that negotiation is the best way to resolve the conflict.

5 Visit the Diaspora and projects

Among the celebrations of this year, I want to mention my two visits in the United States (in June and September). These visits have allowed me to meet with the faithful of the diaspora. The aim was to urge them to remember their land, to always love it and to help their brothers, 'the little flock' that remains. Through their prayer and their material assistance, we were able to achieve the construction of the University of Madaba, which opened on 17 October last to prepare future leaders 'informed', open and responsible.

6 Pastoral care of migrants

With the presence of refugees who immigrated to Israel, there are around 230 000 foreign workers. The vast majority is Christian. There is also 30 000 asylum seekers. They evolve in society Jewish so hébréophone. In fact, the Vicariate of Hebrew language faces a profound challenge to meet the pastoral needs of these immigrant Catholics. We must redouble our efforts to ensure a religious service so that they can integrate into the local church.

7. Acknowledgements and major appointments

Before concluding, I want to thank all the religious communities in the Holy land in prayer and/or the service. I thank also all good souls who, following the Exhortation Apostolic Verbum Domini, allowed that 2011 is the year of the Bible in the Holy land for our faithful become more familiar with the word of God, 'our daily bread'.

I look forward to next major appointments that await us and that our Church will participate with joy:

1. The Congress World of pastoral care of tourism (Mexico - April 2012).

2 The Congress for the pastoral care of media - convened by the pontifical Council for social communications - will bring together the bishops to the Lebanon from 17 to 19 April.

3. The world meeting of families (Milan - June 2012) involving eight families of the Holy land.

4. The 50th Congress Eucharistic International (Dublin - June 2012).

5. The next Synod for the new evangelisation, to be held in Rome in October 2012.

I would like to conclude by inviting all Christians to come on a pilgrimage in the Holy land. Don't be afraid. Reserve you a good home. One of the most beautiful ways to love the Holy Land is to come as pilgrims and of course pray for her and her children. The land of Jesus homeland needs you and you need it.

Dear friends, I you renewed honestly my best wishes for peace. Ask the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ, Prince of peace, to intercede for our holy land.

That Christmas fills you with joy.

R.Q./F.J.