Israel reneged on commitment to Catholic schools, bishop charges
May 25, 2016
The Israeli government has reneged on a commitment to supply 50 million shekels (about $13 million) to support Catholic schools, charges the vicar of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Under the terms of an agreement reached last September, after Church officials threatened to shut down Catholic schools, the Israeli education ministry promised to deliver half of the proposed subsidy at the opening of the academic year and the other half later. But as the end of the school year approaches, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo says, no funds have been forthcoming. The education ministry has also delayed setting up a bilateral commission to iron out differences between the Catholic schools and the government. In short, the prelate said, "nothing has been honored."
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Further information:
- Vicar of Jerusalem: Christian Schools without funds, Israel not respecting agreements (AsiaNews)
- Catholic schools re-open in Israel after government eases budget cuts (CWN, 9/28/15)
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
May. 26, 2016 8:06 PM ET USA
These schools are supported by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. They are quite good and worthy of our support, but must be an irritation under the blanket of the Israeli authorities. Just one more attack against Palestinian Christians.
