Pope Francis and the Palestinian state

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(MAY 15, 2015) - This week Pope Francis visited Palestine and extended a very highly scrutinized treaty with the Palestinians. A treaty, recognizing Palestine as a state by the Catholic Church. An unusual move, for the most the obvious reasons- the political ramifications of said treaty upon the Catholic Church.

"The treaty, which was finalized Wednesday but still has to be signed, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestinian Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine. A bilateral commission is putting the final touches to the agreement, on the Catholic Church’s life and activities in Palestine, which then 'will be submitted to the respective authorities for approval ahead of setting a debate in the near future for the signing,' the Vatican said on Wednesday. Some observers speculated that the agreement could be signed during Abbas’s visit."[1]

{Photograph} "Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014 with Presidents Shimon Peres of Israel, left, and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority." (2014)  Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

{Photograph} "Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014 with Presidents Shimon Peres of Israel, left, and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority." (2014)  Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

As no surprise to this news, the backlash has been immediate and scathing. The Nation of Israel has rebuked the Pope’s actions, as detached and ignorant to say the least,

“Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it was “disappointed” by the Vatican’s decision, and that the recognition would “not advance the peace process.” That echoed similar statements after a wave of European Parliamentary resolutions on Palestinian statehood last fall, but some Israeli analysts said the Vatican’s step hurt more.

“Even this philo-Semitic pope, this pope who cares about the Jews, even he doesn’t get it,” said David Horovitz, editor of The Times of Israel news site. “Every time something like this happens, there’s this sense of anguish. Why don’t you understand? We want to separate from the Palestinians, but on terms that don’t threaten our security.”[2]

However, here at home…the voices of Republicans have called for the Pope to avoid political issues.

{photograph} "Pope Francis touches the wall that divides Israel from the West Bank" credit: Osservatore Romano/REUTERS

{photograph} "Pope Francis touches the wall that divides Israel from the West Bank" credit: Osservatore Romano/REUTERS

“After Pope Francis moved to recognize a Palestinian state, some gung-ho defenders of Israel suggested the pontiff should stick to preaching and stay out of politics.  

“It’s interesting how the Vatican has gotten so political when ultimately the Vatican ought to be working to lead people to Jesus Christ and salvation, and that’s what the Church is supposed to do,” said Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), a hawkish defender of Israel.”[3]

I think this hilarious on a number of areas, as these are merely the Pots and Kettles dancing around like the little leprechauns they are. But I digress, because if you spend enough time reading the chaos it becomes clear that politicians usually love the Pope for justification of their own legislative processes or standings. Historically it’s been the Republican Party, but as we carry on…the tides have turned with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis has stated that Catholics should love and support their Gay children, however in the same breath agrees that Gay marriage should remained banned. Interestingly he has encouraged the Vatican, just as he has Catholics, to read the signs of the times. In addition, Pope Francis has addressed the downfalls of inequality, terrorism and poverty. And honestly, in his own words, his stance on single mothers speaks to the generations of children who were refused baptism or acceptance into society based on the “sins of the parent”.

{photograph} " Pope Francis was joined by a surprise guest during a speech at the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2013. A young boy walked up and hugged the pope, who let him hang out on stage."  Credit: L'Osservatore Romano/AP

{photograph} " Pope Francis was joined by a surprise guest during a speech at the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2013. A young boy walked up and hugged the pope, who let him hang out on stage."  Credit: L'Osservatore Romano/AP

“In our ecclesiastical region, there are priests who don’t baptize the children of single mothers because they weren’t conceived in the sanctity of marriage. These are today’s hypocrites. Those who clericalize the Church. Those who separate the people of God from salvation. And this poor girl who, rather than returning the child to sender, had the courage to carry it into the world, must wander from parish to parish so that it’s baptized!” — rebuke to Argentine priests.[4]

As a personal commentary to this part of Pope Francis, I like him. I am not a Catholic but I like his common sense on certain issues. I differentiate on several of his stances, perspectives such as Gay marriage, however he is opening the hearts of people. I would gladly accept that as an excellent first step towards static theological changes. (If one may assume the ‘Universal Church’ can. If they wish to stay relevant in an evolving world, mind you.)

As to the future of the Palestinian State, it will be interesting to watch this play out in the international stage. Interestingly, Pope Francis will be the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to address the United States Congress on September 24, 2015. This invitation was given by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), not in conjunction with the White House. However, I find it intriguing coming upon the footsteps of Benjamin Netanyahu’s March 3, 2015 address to Congress. Netanyahu’s third address to a joint session of Congress, but in this case by the lone invitation of Boehner.

As this progresses with Palestine, Israel and the Catholic Church it will be exceptionally interesting.

[1] "After Recognizing Palestine, Pope Meets Abbas in Vatican." The Times of Israel. May 16, 2015. Accessed May 16, 2015. http://www.timesofisrael.com/after-recognizing-palestine-pope-meets-abbas-in-vatican/.

[2] Rudoren, Jodi, and Diaa Hadid. "Vatican to Recognize Palestinian State in New Treaty." The New York Times. May 13, 2015. Accessed May 16, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/world/middleeast/vatican-to-recognize-palestinian-state-in-new-treaty.html?_r=0.

[3]  Bade, Rachael. "Israel Hawks to Pope Francis: Stay out of Politics." POLITICO. May 14, 2015. Accessed May 16, 2015. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/israel-hawks-to-pop-francis-stay-out-of-politics-117929.html.

[4] De Souza, Father Raymond J. "Father Raymond J. De Souza: Pope Francis Surprises with New Take on Tradition." National Post. March 14, 2013. Accessed May 16, 2015. http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/father-raymond-j-de-souza-pope-francis-surprises-with-new-take-on-tradition.