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Russian Patriarch Protests Israeli Occupation of Orthodox Church Property
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| Church of Nativity on fire
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MOSCOW, April 2 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Russian Patriarch Alexy II accused Israeli troops of occupying Russian Orthodox Church property in the West Bank town of Bethlehem and demanded that they immediately withdraw, the Orthodox Church said in a statement Tuesday.
"The latest moves by Israeli troops are undermining the Russian Orthodox Church's peacekeeping mission [in the occupied Palestinian territories] and indirectly pulling it into the conflict," the Orthodox Church quoted Alexy as saying in a letter of protest to hawkish Israeli premier Ariel Sharon, news agencies reported.
"The Church is voicing a resolute protest and demands that the troops be withdrawn immediately," he said.
The Patriarch did not identify the Orthodox property, but said it's located near the Cathedral of the Nativity in Bethlehem. He said Israeli occupation soldiers are preparing to use the area for military operations.
Israeli helicopter gun-ships hovered Tuesday, April 2, over Bethlehem's Manger Square, opening fire on the Palestinians near the Church of Nativity, believed to be built over Jesus' traditional birth grotto.
The patriarch also sent letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President George W. Bush and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi-Annan, asking their help in resolving the matter, the Orthodox Church's external relations department said.
Rev. Father Jacques Amateis, a priest in the church, was killed by the Israeli occupation forces during firing on Bethlehem’s Manger Square where the church of Nativity is located.
The Palestinian television announced that a Salesian of Italian nationality was killed this morning while he was in the house of the Nuns of Saint Brigida, in the center of Bethlehem.
The Vatican missionary website MISNA reported, however, that Father Jacques Amateis is alive. It was confirmed to MISNA by the Provincial of the Salesians for the Middle East, Father Mario Murru said.
The priest had gone to the convent Monday night to comfort the religious and due to the situation of tension he decided to remain overnight, MISNA said.
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