Catholic World News News Feature

US bishops prod Israel on talks with Holy See January 27, 2005

The US bishops' conference has urged the Bush Administration to put diplomatic pressure on the Israel, urging that country's government to resume serious negotiations with the Holy See.

In a letter addressed to Condoleeza Rice, the newly installed American Secretary of State, the president of the US bishops' conference notes that US pressure led Israel to re-open talks with the Holy See in 2004. Bishop William Skylstad observes, however, that the talks have to date been unproductive.

Effective pressure from Washington could convince Israel to engage in good-faith bargaining, Bishop Skylstad argues: "US intervention in this matter is critical."

Israel and the Holy See have not yet completed the accords that are called for in the 1993 "Fundamental Agreement" signed by the two parties. After years of desultory talks, Israeli officials pulled out of negotiations, returning to the bargaining table only after American diplomats exerted pressure. However, since resuming talks in August 2004, the Israeli negotiating team has continued to work slowly.

Bishop Skylstad, in his letter, says that the US bishop "are deeply dismayed by the lack of progress, and we fear a lack of commitment, on the part of the Israeli government." The bishops, he continued, "urge the Administration to address these matters with the government of Israel and to move this process forward expeditiously and effectively."

The American bishops' letter points out that the issues under negotiation involve the legal status of the Church in the Holy Land. Israel has not yet agreed to terms on an accord that would establish the tax status of Church-run institutions, and guarantee the legal rights of Catholic institutions.