Purely Commentary Archbishop Raya's Passion for Justice Views of an eminent Catholic dignitary on religion and politics in Israel, made available from the text of an interview he had given before leaving the Jewish state, emerge into special significance at this time, especially because of the dispute that is still being kindled by the Vatican. After seven years as Greek Catholic Arch- bishop in Haifa, Nazareth and other communi- ties in Israel, Msgr. Joseph Raya left to re- side in a monas- tery in Toronto, Canada, and teach at Canadian universities. Before leaving Israel, he was In- terviewed on his Archbishop Raya experiences in, ,impressions of and attitudes on religion and politics in Israel. The interview was re- printed in the Swiss magazine Maccabi in French. From the French text an English translation has been prepared and it un- doubtedly serves as one of the most valu- able documents on Christian relations with Israel and a noted cleric's opinions on major issues. Msgr. Raya was critical of Israel's ex- pulsion of Arabs_ from villages bordering on Lebanon. It was an act taken as a security measure, but the Catholic Archbishop was a leader in the protests against such actions. He also was critical of Israel failure to pro- vide housing for impoverished in whom the eminent Christian became personally inter- ested. There were Israelis who disagreed with Msgr. Raya's criticisms, yet he also had strong support for his views in Israel. Re- gardless of the differences, his attitudes on all subjects deserve as much of a platform as his supporting sentiments of Israel. In its totality, the Raya statement comprises a declaration that should be rated among the most important relating to Israel's role in the society of ,mankind and the world political community. WHO LIVED IN JERUSALEM? Discussions about the future of Jeru- salem too often ignore the fact that for a century-and-a-quarter - as far back as we have any reasonably accurate sta- tistics - this ancient city had a majority, or at least a plurality, of Jews in its population. Year 1844 1876 1896 1905 1913 1922 1931 1948 1967 1968 Jews 7,120 12,000 28,112 40,000 48,400 33,971 51,222 100,000 195,700 210,000 Moslems 5,000 7,560 8,560 7,000 10,505 13,413 19,894 40,000 54,963 55,000 Christians Total 3,390 15,510 5,470 25,030 8,748 45,420 13,000 60,000 16,750 75,200 14,699 62,578 19,335 90,503 25,000 165,000 12,646 262,309 13,000 278,000 The table is •ased on census figures, the Calendar of Palestine, the Encyclo- pedia Britannica, several books, and fig- ures provided by the Israel Central Bu- reau of Statistics and the city of Jeru- salem. Especially* on the subject of Jerusalem, Msgr. •aya's experiences are vital to all the discussions still raging in many quar- ters, and especially in the Vatican. Msgr. Raya fearlessly exposed the feuds among Christians in the Holy City. He courageous- ly upheld Jewry's rights in Israel. The in- terview is too vital not to be given fullest consideration. That is why it is presented here in the English translation from the French (prepared by the World Jewish Con- gress Institute for Jewish Affairs) after the eminent theologian's statements to the He- brew newspaper Ha'aretz. 2 Friday, January 31, 1975 - Monsignor, what do you think of the role played • by the Christian Church in the search for a just solution to the Middle- Eastern conflict? In my opinion, the Christian Church has failed totally in everything concerning the Israel-Arab conflict. Because she has stray- ed very far from the teaching of Our Lord Jesus. She no longer obeys his command- ments, and as for her activity in this part of the •world, she is 'busier playing politics than trying to create a good basis for under- standing and fraternity. I hope that things will evolve with time. I don't forget that during the two, even three first years of my service here, priests who were subordinate to me spat upon the. Because I was preach- ing love •and brotherhood: tru e love for Israel and true brotherhood with the Jewish people. And then their attitude changed, towards me and towards•the state, at least I hope so. And some among them, who were insulting me and denouncing me for taking sides, come to me and say "Is it possible?", and I answer them: "The will of God triumphs, but you, you too, must want and act accordingly." But it is evident that your non-conformist opinions are not supported in the Vatican. Pope Paul VI, having heard your recrimin- ations against the ecclesiastical establish. ment, said drily "Have you gone mad?" As for your predecessor in Haifa, the Patriarch Hakim who is now in Damascus, he tried more than once to put a spoke in your wheel. Do you think that an isolated "regional commander" would have a chance of modifying the opinions and acts of a complicated ecclesiastical administration, hundreds of years old? Let's take as an ex- ample your declaration concerning the fu- ture of Jerusalem. First, one cannot accept compromise when it's a matter of questions of con- science. •I fight for my opinions because I believe them to be just. If it is true that the Christian establishment prefers to hide things, and if it is equally true that in high places, among us, people don't like to listen to independent opinions, I cannot, for my part, make compromises where there is a question of conscience. Those who demanded from me explanations about my position concerning the status of Jerusalem were numerous and diverse. But among them, it was the •reek-Catholic patriarch who was the most insistent. Last month, I explained myself before the synod of Greek-Catholic bishops which was held at Ain-Traz. Could you tell us what you declared to the synod? • Yes. My opinion on Jerusalem is based on the Jewish, Moslem and Christians Scrip- tures. And I conclude from them that we Christians must retire from Jerusalem. I know that annoys many people, but even anger can do nothing to alter the truth. In Genesis (12.7) we read: "'God appeared to Abraham and said: 'It is to your decendants that I will give this land.' So Abraham built there an altar to God who had appeared to him." And in the second book of Samuel (7:5 and 11-13) we read the word of God that Nathan brings to David: "Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? ... God will make you a house. And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereign- ity secure. It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever." And this too must be said: since the exile in Babylon, the Jews always make this vow: "Next year in Jeru- salem"; and during the Jewish marriage ceremony, the husband says "Jerusalem, if I forget you, may my right hand whither" (Psalm 137:5). History and reality prove to us that the Jews consider Jerusalem as the center of the world. They fight each other for the privilege of being buried there. And when it's a question of Jewish Jerusalem, there is no longer any difference among Orthodox Reformed, conservative or liberal Jews. The fact that Jerusalem-Zion is holy is undeni- able, even for Jewish socialists. Jerusalem is the agent which unifies all the parties of Judaism. For the Moslems too, Jerusalem has a great religious importance. The mos- que of El-Alcsa is the third in the order of THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 1 1 . 1 . I. 1 11, 1 Church is Challenged by Churchman in Msgr. Raya's Expose of Divisiveness Among Clerics and His Firm Defense of Israel's Right to Jerusalem and Statehood. By Philip Slomovitz importance for Islam, after Mecca and Me- ding night in the same room as their parents dina. A pilgrimage to Jerusalem assures the and a young brother. This is inhuman, and soul's immortality for the Moslem. Jerusa- does harm to our cause - the cause of lem has an important place in the Islamic brotherhood. There is no brotherhood with- out mutual respect. Also the fact that people rite. But there is no obligation for Christians must pay a rent for lodgings they consider to visit any sanctuary or holy place. We to be a family property causes them not have no duty to make pilgrimage not even only worries, but a terrible humiliation. We to Jerusalem. Jesus teaches us, in Matt- know so well that desperation and humili- hew's words (18:20): "Where two or three ation are very close to violence. During the Yom Kippur War I gave my meet in my name, •I shall be there with them." In John (4:21-24) we read that when blood for Israeli soldiers. When you are a Samaritan woman had asked Jesus which attacked, you must defend yourself, that is was the most suitable place for prayer, clear enough. But I am formally opposed Jesus replied: "Believe me, woman, the to violence and terror as political weapons. hour is coming when you will worship the After the drama of Ma'alot, I went to the Father neither on this mountain nor in people there to tell them: "My brothers, Jerusalem ... God is spirit, and those who your blood is my blood." They were 7, -4 idle words. Jesus never rejected his J worship must worship in spirit and truth." Do you mean that the sanctity of Jerusa- ism. Wasn't his blood Jewish blood: _Jo lem is devoid of meaning for Christians? isn't it just to say that your blood is ours For almost a thousand years Christians and our blood is also yours? Monsignor, you have often stressed your have been fighting each other for the privi- lege of maintaining certain places in Jeru- love for Israel and your loyalty towards salem, and no little blood has been shed for its state. How then are we to understand your participation in the political campaign that. This idea has no foundation in the New about the demand of the displaced persons Testament. On th e contrary, the Gospel from Bar'am and Ikrit who wanted to return teaches us that the body of the Crucified is to their villages? Set up, from abroad, by our sanctuary. Of course, the mystical the enemies of Israel, this campaign was power of Jerusalem has on effect on Chris- above all supported here by leftist Jewish tians too. For we give importance to all the circles who are hostile to the state and by Arab extremists who want to destroy it. places where Jesus lived and taught. To love the state of Israel and its people But what one sees in Jerusalem now is not the Christian Church in her beauty - does not mean to accept the wrongs that it is sects disputing imaginary rights and certain officials or ministers can do. But I little people squabbling over the right to must say it very clearly: I have not made light a candle at the Holy Sepulchre. Can a political campaign. I placed myself at the we have forgotten that the tomb is empty? head of a struggle for elementary human What is happening today in Jerusalem is in rights, rights which are founded among complete opposition to that simplicity, that other things on a decision of the supreme spirituality and that pure love the Gospel Israeli court. I have fought for the mem- speaks of to us. The very fact that we bers of my community-but also for a more argue and dispute about what we consider just state of Israel. When I realized that the as sacred would be enough to change pro- struggle was taking a turn that would be foundly the definition of "our rights" in the harmful to the state of Israel, I acted so 1161y Land. If the Church feels the real as to mitigate it. But to conclude talking about this sad desire to be catholic, that is to say universal. she must renounce everything which makes affair, let me warn those responsible: Open her lose her unity and her greatness. For your eyes, before it's too late, before reject= Jesus said (Matthew 5:29): "If your right ing too many people in the camp of the eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and enemies of 'Israel. Among the clergy you don't seem to throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your have an equal for unleashing spiritual storms, social struggles and intense theolo- whole body thrown into hell." Has your resignation any other motives gical debates: a Catholic prelate in a Jew- than your opinions on Christians in Jerusa- ish state - constantly submitted to the pressures of two parties - how is this? lem? It is the most edifying experience that a I'm resigning as a sign of protest against the distortion of the teaching of Jesus about believer could dream of. Our origin is here, the establishment of the Church, the distor- isn't it? And aren't My feet treading the tion which is given concrete form by the ground that our fathers' fathers trod? politicizing of the problem of Jerusalem. At Wasn't Jesus a Jew, up to his death? It's the same time, I'm resigning because of the certainly an experience of spiritual uplift exaggerated and illicit meddling in the af- that could not be degraded by any material fairs of my diocese and because of the element. Before arriving at this post, I traveled a attempt at playing politics with declarations which claim to be purely moral and reli- long road. I was born in Lebanon. I studied in Jerusalem for about 10 years, gious. Have you enjoyed religious freedom in then 'I was appointed director of a college Israel and have you found a common for religions in Cairo. I left Farouk's Egypt for the United States. I studied English at language with the authorities? Not only have I enjoyed a complete reli- university for three years. Then 'I decided gious freedom, but a respectable freedom. to go south, and I was appointed bishop There are many countries with a religious in Birmingham, Ala bam a. For 19 freedom on the formal level, but in practice years I participated in the struggle for civil it is linked with a great number of base ac- rights, those of the black people of course. I tions. That is not the case here. And I would learned many things, I acquired experience. rather emphasize the correct 'attitude of the Then, when Archbishop Hakim left Galilee authorities towards myself and my Church. and Haifa to become Patriarch of our Over the years I have had direct dealings Church in Damascus, he suggested that I with the Prime Ministers - Eshkol, Golda come to replace him. He thought that I was Meir and Rabin. Often I have talked to the right man in the right place, becau--- of them about the problems of my community. the similarities that can be seen lx. I cannot say that I have always found the situation of the minority in the scali.,, of a complete comprehension. I •have received the United States and here. But since then "a black cat has passed many promises. Unfortunately they have very often not been kept. One cannot deny between you", and you are no longer in that there is discrimination in Israel in sev- agreement even on the essence of this im- eral fields, the right to housing, to work, portant post? My resignation can serve as your answer. to a respectable life. The discrimination• be- tween Jews and non-Jews creates grave feel- But before leaving, I should like to take ings of bitterness, to which I hav e constant- advantage of this interview to address a few ly been the witness. I have often tried to words of farewell to the people of Israel: convince Mrs. Meir of the necessity of chang- I have a vision of the future, that of a great ing, for example, the law on the properties and strong Israel. of absentees. Do not forget-even if you succeed in Many members of my community live in bringing 20 million Jews here - that the houses in bad condition belonging to parents Arab world is more numerous. Act in- who are in the Arab countries. Young mar- telligently, but act quickly, or you will have ried couples are obliged to spend their wed- lost your chance.