SEPARATIST LEADER SAYS USE OF GEORGIA’S EXPERIENCE IMPOSSIBLE IN KARABAKH
Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
3 Jun 04
Stepanakert, 3 June: “Azerbaijan will sooner or later be forced to
conduct negotiations with Nagornyy Karabakh despite its attempts
to avoid this,” the president of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic,
Arkadiy Gukasyan, has told a briefing.
According to Gukasyan, the repetition of the Georgian scenario
for the settlement of conflicts is impossible in Artsakh (Nagornyy
Karabakh). He expressed his hope that the Azerbaijani authorities
will sooner or later become politically mature for talks with Artsakh.

UKRAINE BACKS AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
ANS TV, Baku
3 Jun 04
Visiting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Ukrainian President
Leonid Kuchma have held a joint news conference. Kuchma made a
statement supporting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. He expressed
the hope that Karabakh will soon be returned to Azerbaijan peacefully.
Leonid Kuchma noted that there are no differences in the two countries’
positions on the Karabakh problem, the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani
districts and the situation in the region.
He said that it was necessary to call a spade a spade. He described
as a tragedy the fact that 750,000 people who used to live in those
areas are now looking for vacant accommodation. Ukraine has always
supported and will continue to support Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. In these terms, we have no other point of view. I think,
time will work in your favour, end quote.
(Passage omitted: Similar ideas)

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER: June 3, 2004
40th DAY REQUIEM SERVICE THIS SUNDAY
FOR ARCHBISHOP ZAREH AZNAVOURIAN
Fortieth Day Requiem Service for the late Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian
will take place this Sunday, June 6, 2004, in the Mother Cathedral of the
Holy See of Cilicia and in all churches of the Eastern Prelacy. His Eminence
died on April 30 in Antelias, Lebanon, at age fifty-seven.
Archbishop Zareh faithfully served the Armenian Church as a celibate
priest for 38 years. He was an eminent teacher at the Theological Seminary
in Antelias, Lebanon, and director of the Christian Education Department. He
was a noted composer of both religious and secular music, a gifted scholar,
a Biblical translator, and an author of textbooks and commentaries. He was
considered to be one of the most noted Biblical scholars within the Armenian
Church.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
established the Zareh Aznavourian Christian Education Fund. Donations to
this fund can be made payable to the Armenian Prelacy and mailed to 138 E.
39th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us
and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts
and strengthen them in every good work and word. (II Thessalonians 2:16)
ORDINATION OF DEACON JOSEPH GARABEDIAN
WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 6 IN ANTELIAS
This Sunday, June 6, Deacon Joseph Garabedian will be ordained and
consecrated as a celibate priest in the Mother Cathedral of the Holy See of
Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon. In accordance with the canons of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, the Service of Calling to the Priesthood will begin
Saturday evening immediately after Vespers service. The candidate’s life,
faith and readiness to enter the ministry of priesthood will be examined.
The ordination and consecration will take place on Sunday.
Dn. Joseph was born in Beirut, but grew up in River Edge, New Jersey,
and he has been preparing for this day for several years. After his
ordination the newly ordained priest will remain in Lebanon to serve the
Church for one year before returning to the United States where he will be
assigned to a parish.
In an interview with Outreach last year, Dn. Joseph talked about his
calling: I attended Sunday School at Sts. Vartanantz Church from 5th to 10th
grades and then completed two years of internship and taught at the Sunday
School. During that time I felt that my place was at the altar. I just felt
I belonged there. It was an innate thing, a calling. I was ordained an
acolyte in 1999 and deacon in 2000. I didn’t feel that ready for it, but I
was honored, and it gave me a chance to rely on God, rather than my own
power, which is what God wants us to do.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Deacon Joseph. May our Lord Jesus
Christ make him worthy of his priesthood.
PRELACY CHURCHES BLESS THE TRICOLORS
ON THE OCCASION OF MAY 28TH ANNIVERSARY
The parishes of the Eastern Prelacy performed a special Blessing of the
Flag ceremony last Sunday, May 30, on the occasion of the 86th anniversary
of the first Armenian Republic, which was proclaimed on May 28, 1918.
The ceremony, in most parishes, took place with the participation of the
HMEM scouts.
Bless, O Lord, this flag in order that as the rainbow-which shone in the
skies over Mt. Ararat after the deluge-became the sign of your eternal
covenant with man, likewise, this flag, after the huge floods of our blood,
becomes the symbol of our indissoluble covenant with you. . Bless, O Lord,
our homeland, where you first established the paradise of happiness, which
was then for long centuries reduced to a place of ruins by our impious
enemies. Let the fountains flow again for the enjoyment of all. . Sanctify
our churches and monasteries, seminaries and schools in Armenia (as well as
in the Armenian Diaspora) and fortify their frontiers with your protection
against the assaults of enemies. Bless, O Lord, all that is good in our
country, first and foremost her name, Armenia.
From the Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia, prepared in
1920 by Archbishop Torkom Koushagian in Cairo, Egypt.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN VISITS COMMUNITY OF
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
On Sunday, May 30, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan visited the
community of the St. John the Baptist Church in Syracuse, New York.
Accompanying the Prelate were current and former executive council members,
Noubar Megerian and Karen Jehanian, respectively.
After nearly fifty years, the Armenian Community Center of Onondaga
County/St. John the Baptist Armenian Apostolic Church, was sold on May 25,
2004. This small but one-time vibrant and active community gathered in its
home one last time to pray and remember the events and moments shared in
that building by the families of Syracuse and environs. During his sermon,
Oshagan Srpazan remembered the founding members and their courage to
purchase the land and build the church and community center. He later
compared his feelings as a bishop, to those of a parent who loses a child.
A wonderful luncheon was highlighted by the words of the founding
members, Vartkas Minassian and Arpena Mesrobian and the current
Chairperson Anoush Minassian Santangelo.
The Reverend James Young, pastor of the Gethsemane Baptist Church (the
new owners of the building) recalled his experience of meeting Professor
Vahakn Dadrian, who taught him about the Armenian Genocide and gave him an
appreciation of the Armenian struggle. Rev. Young said he thought that God
showed him the way to the St. John the Baptist Church and offered words of
encouragement to the group gathered. He also most graciously offered use of
the building for services. While the building may have been sold, the
community will continue to be served by the Prelacy with visiting clergy.
Reported by Karen Jehanian
PHOTO GALLERY OF PLG MOTHERS’ DAY LUNCHEON
IS ON PRELACY WEB PAGE
Each year at the Mothers’ Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies
Guild, one person is honored as the Mother of the Year. This year the honor
was kept secret until its announcement at the luncheon. Speaking on behalf
of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar
General, announced that this year, on the 30th anniversary of the PLG, the
Prelacy was honoring all of the current members of the Guild. Explaining
that the original founding members had been honored a few years ago, Hayr
Anoushavan called each current member individually to receive her special
certificate of appreciation. The event took place at the St. Regis in New
York City.
The full press release and photographs from the event are on the web
page,
IF YOU THINK THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC FAITH SAYS
NOTHING ABOUT CURRENT MORAL ISSUES, THINK AGAIN!
Abortion, reproductive technologies, homosexuality, gay marriage,
suicide, and euthanasia, are issues that are hotly debated and highly
politicized. Various faith communities and organizations are grappling with
them for all sorts of different agendas. Whether we like it or not, we are
forced to face these issues in our personal, professional and communal
lives. For this reason, the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) has
organized a unique program for adults entitled Critical Issues of Life and
Faith, scheduled to take place at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, June 25-27, 2004. The eminent Armenian Orthodox ethicist and
theologian, Vigen Guroian, Professor of Theology and Ethics at Loyola
College in Baltimore, will be the main speaker for the Saturday portion of
the program. Participants also include, Rev. Fr. Krikor Chifjian, Media
Relations Officer, Catholicosate of Cilicia; Dr. Carlo Bayrakdarian,
Psychiatrist; and Dr. Meline Karakashian, Psychologist and Educator.
For full details and registration information go to:
CATHOLICOS ARAM IS INTERVIEWED
ON OCCASION OF RWANDAN ANNIVERSARY
On the occasion of the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation visit
to Rwanda to mark the 10th anniversary of the genocide, an interview with
Catholicos Aram I, the Moderator of the WCC Central Committee, was conducted
by the WCC Public Information Team. Here are some excerpts from the
interview:
This visit has a profound pastoral and ecumenical significance. First,
this is a concrete expression of the Council’s commitment to Africa as this
region, at this juncture of its history, is facing tremendous challenges.
Second, it is a manifestation of the Council’s solidarity with the people of
Rwanda as the people of this small African country are involved in a process
of transformation and reconciliation after the genocide of 1994.
Healing and forgiveness are interconnected and they are an integral part
of our Christian vocation. We cannot neglect our past; the memory will
always remain with us, but we can heal and reconcile our memory.
Reconciliation is based on forgiveness and forgiveness must be based on
confession. Therefore, it is confession that generates healing and
forgiveness. I don’t believe in a cheap forgiveness and reconciliation. The
truth must be told and accepted; the memory must be respected.
Africa is becoming an important region for many reasons. The ecumenical
movement must take Africa very seriously. Africa cannot remain on the
periphery of the international community; its problems are our problems, its
dreams our dreams, its struggle our struggle. The ecumenical movement is
called to participate in all processes and actions that are aimed at
establishing lasting peace in Africa.
MEMORY OF HRIPSIMIANK AND GAYANIANK
WILL BE OBSERVED JUNE 7 AND 8
The Armenian Church commemorates the memory of the Hrisimiank and
Gayaniank on two successive days, eight days after Pentecost, on Monday and
Tuesday. This year the dates are June 7 and 8.
According to the historian Aganthangelos, the young women we now refer
collectively as Hripsimiank and Gayaniank were Roman maidens of noble birth
who became Christians and lived in a Convent. The Mother Superior of the
Convent was Gayane. The Roman leader of the time wanted to marry a member of
the convent, Hripsime, who was considered to be very beautiful. Hripsime
refused. Realizing that their lives would become much more difficult the
women decided to leave Rome and eventually settled in Armenia. The Roman
Emperor informed the Armenian King Tiridates about the flight of the women.
Tiridates became obsessed with the idea of marrying Hripsime and forced her
to come to the palace. She refused with the support of Gayane. Consequently,
the entire group was put to death. The Armenian Church commemorates their
martyrdom each year. Their memories are also kept vivid by building churches
in their name, the most famous being the beautiful Hripsime and Gayane
churches in Etchmiadzin which contain their tombs.
This is perhaps an appropriate time to mention the publication of a new
book by the Prelacy. Antsink Nuvirialk, by musicologist Krikor Pidedjian,
was issued a month ago. The book is a detailed study of the hymn (sharagan)
Antsink Nuvirialk dedicated to the Hripsimyank saints. The book is in
Armenian and can be purchased through the Prelacy Bookstore, 212-689-7810.
You can visit the Bookstore on the Prelacy web page
The Church of Hripsime in Etchmiadzin was built during the reign of Gomidas
Catholicos (7th century). We end with two stanzas from his poem, Devoted
Persons.
Those who are dedicated to the love of Christ
those wise virgins, and holy martyrs celebrate
with Mother Zion and her daughters,
the resurrection and its glory, Lord.
Once more, powerful creator, and anew,
Eden is adorned with divine growth
because the tree of life transplanted to heaven
bears such fruit as holy Hripsime.
From Anthology of Armenian Poetry,
Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian, translators and editors
Visit our website at

PRESS RELEASE
June 6, 2004
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]
USAID SUPPORTS AUA STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM
USAID/Armenia’s Spring 2004 Newsletter highlights its support of
the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) student loan program.
Through a USAID-funded grant program, created by its implementing
partner, the Eurasia Foundation, AUA received a $40,035 grant to
continue providing financial aid options to make certain that every
deserving student can afford a quality education. This grant enabled
AUA to provide $28,800 in loans and $11,235 to administer the program.
The USAID newsletter notes that higher education is essential for
Armenia’s development, but it must be both affordable and sustainable.
AUA piloted and structured Armenia’s first student loan program in
2002 in response to the global economic downturn and rising student
fees. Currently the $6,000 tuition fee is subsidized by AUA, and the
student is asked to pay $1,750 per year, which is comparable to many
of the other private institutions in Armenia. Over 70% of AUA students
receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, work-study, and
loans. The student loan program is an innovative concept and a model
for replication by other universities.
“In AUA’s commitment to admit and retain students with demonstrated
scholastic achievement and high intellectual potential, the
University is determined to support student decisions to seek and
complete a degree at AUA,” stated AUA President Haroutune Armenian.
“The loan program is a great step forward in increasing access to AUA
and instilling a sense of personal and institutional responsibility
among students as they repay their loans and extend the privilege to
other students in succeeding years.”
Private contributions in memory of Dr. Steven Abashian and Nishan and
Eskohee Abashian, and from the Turpanjian Family Foundation, Mr. Heros
Noravian and Dr. Emma Zargarian, Dr. and Mrs. Haroutune Armenian,
and Dr. Patricia Boyle more than match the Eurasia Foundation grant
to make AUA’s education more accessible.
—–
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit
educational organization in both Armenia and the United States and is
affiliated with the Regents of the University of California. Receiving
major support from the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the
Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For more information about
AUA, visit or

STATEMENT ON ARMENIA JUDICIAL REFORM PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
A1 Plus | 21:04:06 | 03-06-2004 | Official |
YEREVAN, June 3, 2004. – Over the past weeks there has been growing
attention and public discussions surrounded the World Bank financed
Judicial Reform Project, approved by the Board of Directors of the
Bank in September, 2000. The debates were particularly focused on the
Supervision Report of the Chamber of Control of the National Assembly
that was prepared in the beginning of 2003 and recently presented to
the National Assembly.
The Bank realizes that the supervision and evaluation of the project
carried out by the Chamber of Control is an internal matter for
Armenia and it does not want to interfere in this process. However,
during some public appearances and interviews some officials made
specific references to the World Bank and have questioned some of
the fiduciary aspects and safeguards of this project. Given this
there is a need to explain the Bank’s official position on some of
the important project implementation aspects, and Roger Robinson,
Armenia Country Manager finds it necessary to provide the following
clarifications on some of the issues raised.
1. The World Bank attaches significant importance to the Judicial
Reforms in Armenia and as a development partner it intends to continue
supporting the Armenian authorities in this key area.
2. From the very beginning of the Project the World Bank has been
carrying out close monitoring and supervision of the project
implementation. Since the start of the Project the Bank has
conducted supervision missions at least twice a year during which it
discussed and reviewed the project implementation details with key
project counterparts, as well as with other stakeholders. During the
supervision missions the Bank’s team has agreed with the implementing
agency on any changes in the project design or components that are
necessary for effective implementation of the project activities and
which would contribute to the achievement of the Project Development
Objectives.
3. Unfortunately, due to various reasons the Project start was uneven
and there were delays in some of the important project components. The
Bank has always expressed its concern about the slow implementation
of the institutional development part of the project. However,
during the last year some positive progress has been recorded in this
complex area.
4. All the procurements and civil works under the Judicial Reform
Project have been designed and carried out according to the World Bank
procurement guidelines and procedures. For example, all civil works,
including court house rehabilitation, have been subject to rigorous
competitive tendering processes. These have been regularly reviewed
by the World Bank’s procurement specialists. No major deficiency or
violations of World Bank fiduciary regulations or procedures have been
found. In addition, the Bank’s financial management team conducts a
regular review and supervision of the Project Implementing Agency’s
financial management and control systems. No major problems have been
found in this area either.
5. The revision(reduction) of the number of court houses that are
supported under the Project was done in agreement with the Bank
team. Due to higher actual construction costs the initially allocated
budget was found insufficient for the rehabilitation of all planned
court houses. In response to the request of the Armenian Government the
Bank has in principal approved some reallocation within the project
components, which would allow to complete the rehabilitation of as
many court houses as possible.
In addition, the Bank has also agreed with the government’s request
to extend the Project’s Closing Date from December 31, 2004 till June
30, 2006.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 3, 2004
___________________
DADOURIAN RECEIVES ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL
Haig Dadourian, chairman of the Diocesan Council, was honored with
the Ellis Island Medal of Honor during a ceremony on Ellis Island,
on May 15, 2004.
The medal, presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations,
is presented to Americans of diverse origins for their contributions
to their own ethnic groups and to American society. About 3,500 people
are nominated for the medal each year.
Dadourian is an owner and director of the Dadourian Export Corporation.
He is also a real estate developer. A graduate of Columbia Business
School, Dadourian is also the past president and owner of Deluxe
Storage Systems, a manufacturer of commercial steel shelving and
storage equipment, and the InterRoyal Corporation, a maker of
commercial furniture.
He has served the community at the local level, at the St. Mary Church
of Livingston, NJ, as parish council member, assistant music director,
and delegate. He has also assumed a variety of leadership roles within
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Currently,
he is chairman of the Diocesan Council and a member of the Board of
Directors of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, the Fund for Armenian
Relief, and St. Nersess Seminary.
Despite all his accomplishments, Dadourian said that when he was
onstage at Ellis Island being honored, he kept thinking of someone
else’s success.
“I was thinking of my father. I wish he were there, because he was the
one who went through the massacres, and went through Ellis Island as
a 10-year-old,” said Dadourian of his father, Dadour, who came from
the village of Gurin in historic Armenia. “He was more than just a
survivor. He became successful in this country and continued to be
very supportive of his church and his whole ethnic community.”
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was created in 1986 to honor the many
ethnic groups who have made America a strong nation. More than 1,300
individuals have since been honored with the award since its inception.
The award is recognized by both the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives, and the names of award recipients are listed in the
Congressional Record.
“We need to recognize Armenians who have built successful lives in
America,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese. “We need to praise them and show that they have made this
country richer, while honoring their ethnic origins and their church.”
— 6/03/04
# # #

Scroll down 3/4 of the way on the website:
Source: 9-140504.asp
STAMP OUT CORRUPTION, U.S. ROCK STAR TELLS ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES
Serj Tankian, the lead singer of System of a Down, the world’s most
famous ethnic Armenian rock band, has added his voice to long-standing
calls for the eradication of widespread government corruption in
Armenia, singling it out as the most serious obstacle to the country’s
development. In an interview with RFE/RL, Tankian said bribery and
other corrupt practices are the main reason why fellow diasporans
in the United States and elsewhere in the world avoid large-scale
investments in their historic homeland.
“Corruption must be eliminated,” the U.S. rock star of Armenian descent
said from Los Angeles. “Like the Jews, Armenians have quite a strong
diaspora, which is always ready to help the homeland. But every time
diaspora Armenians work with businessmen in Armenia they encounter
many difficulties because of corruption, mafia, and various problems
with the government. Things must be more open because the country
needs investments.”
“The most important thing is that we return to the roots which the
Armenian people had before the Soviet times,” he added in fluent
Armenian. “That means we must put an end to political corruption,
the corrupt system and think about our people.”
Those comments revealed a new message in the political discourse
of the California-based band better-known for its advocacy of
international recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and other,
more global causes. A vocal critic of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq,
Tankian teamed up with other American rock musicians in 2002 to form
Axis of Justice, a group fighting against corruption and standing up
for workers’ rights.
System of a Down’s commitment to genocide recognition found a new
outlet in a benefit show which the progressive-metal quartet staged
in a sold-out Los Angeles hall on 24 April, the day of the annual
remembrance of some 1.5 million Armenians killed in Ottoman Turkey. The
Souls Benefit concert aimed to raise U.S. rock fans’ awareness of the
tragedy. Proceeds from the concert have been donated to the Armenian
National Committee of America and other diaspora groups which have
been lobbying the U.S. Congress to officially recognize the mass
killings as genocide.
Tankian described the show as a big success. “Not only the concert but
media coverage of it have had a quite powerful impact,” he said. “We
have raised the issue of genocide recognition from the day of the
band’s creation [in 1995].”
Tankian revealed that he is aware of the political crisis in Armenia,
saying he hopes it will be sorted out by “democratic and political
means.” “I think it’s very important for people to stand up for their
rights,” he said in an apparent reference to the recent antigovernment
demonstrations in Yerevan.
Tankian said he visited Armenia on a private trip two year ago and
would like to go there again with System of a Down’s three other ethnic
Armenian members. “We would like to come and we would like to throw a
very good concert and maybe even record a live DVD album. But we have
not yet planned the details and it is still not clear when,” he said,
adding that “one or two years” is the most realistic time frame.
In the meantime, System of a Down will work on its new album which
is due be released by the end of this year. Its new hits, according
to Tankian, will maintain the blend of traditional Armenian tunes
and modern rhythms. “Armenian music is part of our identity,” the
singer said. “We don’t need to spend time on a particular kind of
music because whatever we do, Armenian music will be in it.” (Anna
Saghabalian)

AsiaNews.it, Italy
June 3 2004
Rome and Moscow: a willing separation?
by Vladimir Rozanskij
Proselytism is a trivial problem compared to necessity of
evangelising the world. A Russian expert analyses the results
obtained by the Orthodox-Catholic Group.
Moscow (AsiaNews) – Cardinal Walter Kasper’s recent visit to Russia
is beginning to be show its first fruits. Probably, the most important
result of the trip is the organisation of the Joint (Orthodox-Catholic)
Working Group. The Joint Group, which started its activity in May,
is established to analyse the various existing controversies between
the two Churches, and to suggest possible solutions.
Members of the group unofficially reported that the relationship
between the Catholic and Orthodox participants was welcoming
and friendly, despite the difficult issues that the Group had to
discuss: the legitimacy of the “acts of proselytism” on the part of
the catholic Church in the 15 years since the borders to the former
Soviet countries opened.
The peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the Group’s meetings does
not spring from any great achievement, but from the spirit of
diversity that animates the protagonists of this new season of
ecumenical dialogue. Almost with a sense of freedom, in fact, the
representatives of the two sister-Churches were asked neither to work
for a re-unification, nor to organise improbable meetings between
their highest ecclesial authorities. The task is not so difficult,
and corresponds to the present reality: The Churches will take an
inventory of the rights and wrongs of the relationship between the
two ecclesiastical communities with a view to avoid ‘stepping on each
other’s toes’ in the future.
More than to ‘reunite the family’, as it were, this step is more
like asking lawyers to divide assets and define the terms of
the mutual, willing separation between two parties. Despite the
doctrine of marriage (which in the Orthodox Church is not as strict
as in Catholicism), nowadays even Catholics seem to appreciate the
advantages of a peaceful “separation”. Before Vatican II the Catholic
Church referred to Christians of other denominations as “dissidents”.
After the Council they became “brothers” (even if affected by some
minor imperfections), to be welcomed back home. Now, it looks like
they are turning into “willing divorcees”.
“Microscopic” proselytism
Therefore, the Group discussed ‘concrete things’, listing the names
and surnames of those who have offended and betrayed the mission
of the Churches. In truth, it would have been better if the Group
had considered some important statistics as well, to give the true
dimensions of the problem of ‘Catholic proselytism’. In Russia there
are officially 500,000 Catholics, but only 50,000 of them actually go
to church. Most important, there are only 5,000 Russians who turned
to the Church of Rome without having any kind of Catholic tradition
in their families (ie. A German or Polish grandmother). Among them,
only 2,000 had some link with the Orthodox Church in their past. In
Russia live 150 million people.
Truthfully, the Group considered some statistics. An orthodox
representative quoted the “offensive” words spoken by Verbist Fr.
Jerzy Jagodzinski, who questioned the Orthodox nature of the Russian
population observing that, “only 1.2% of people in Moscow participated
to the Easter celebrations”, 120,000 out of 10 million. Actually,
Jagodzinski was being generous with the Orthodox church: Moscow’s
authorities confirmed that “for Easter less than 1% of the population
attended any kind of religious service”. In the last ten years, there
are twenty times more churches than there was under communism, with
building being built or re-opened. Yet in relation to the immediate
post-communism years, only one third of people now attend the services.
Ultimately, it seems that the practical things discussed by the
Group concern only “those provincial reports of strategic activities
to convert people of Orthodox roots to another faith and another
culture.” According to Vsevolod Chaplin, the head of the Orthodox
delegation.. These kind of ‘provincial reports’ is a constant in
Russian history, which prefers ‘informing’ and secret accusations to
flagrant crimes. The Group was informed of supposed grave violations
that happened in remote locations, above all in the Siberian city of
Novosibirsk. Here Catholics are believed to be have been incited in
various sectors, especially within schools, hospitals, universities
and through TV programs. It is important to notice that Novosibirsk,
which is 4.000 km away from Moscow, was the place of deportation of
those considered dangerous by the Communist regime- free-thinkers and
undesirable ethnicities. German Catholics built their church there in
Soviet times. The Catholic activities, therefore, must be explained
in context of the Catholic roots of many living there.
In truth, the real reason behind the reports is something else.
Novosibirsk in fact is a city were Jesuits have concentrated their
efforts, the “Catholic devils” of Russian literature, an expression
of the inferiority complex of the Orthodox towards Western culture.
The local bishop, Mons. Jozif Werth, (a Russian German) is a Jesuit
himself and has called many in his Community to collaborate with him,
excluding the invitation, however, to Jesuits of the eastern rites, in
order not to provoke the distrust of Orthodox authorities. It is as if
the Orthodox Church would say, ‘They have tried again to convert us,
this time starting from the extreme peripheries. But again, we have
unmasked them!’
Targeting children’s activities
Another point of attack of the Orthodox Inquisition are “activities for
children”. Here and there, (in fact, always in the most inaccessible
places: Murmansk, Angarsk, Sakhalin) Catholics have been accused
of using schools and orphanages “for profit”, to take the souls of
those who would be the future sons of Orthodoxy. The fathers of the
Work Don Calabria would be the worst ones. According to Orthodox
authorities, these priests used to meet in a secret place not far
from Moscow airport, in order to organise their plots against the
local church. Actually, the fathers (from Verona) invested a large
amount of money, more than all the money from their Brazilian and
African missions combined, to buy and restore a completely abandoned
tourist center. They wanted to transform it into a modern school,
with independent heating. After 10 years, they have not still not
obtained the permission to open the school. They wanted was to
show the Russian people that Christians can propose an educational
method which is absolutely “secular” in its nature and appreciated
in the world. Paradoxically, they ended up in becoming the symbol of
Catholic proselytism, without even having begun their work. Today
the Rodnichock Center, run by the Fathers, is used only by groups
of children who are always escorted by their lay tutors. The Fathers
entirely pay for their vacations, but not even a single one of these
children has become Catholic.
Fr. Igor Kovalevskij (head of the Catholic delegation of the Group)
has held the role of the peacemaker. He acknowledged that “there are
some cases that have generated misunderstandings, as they could be
interpreted as acts of proselytism”. Patriarch Aleksij II has taken
advantage of Fr. Kovalevskij’s words by declaring, in the presence of
Pierferdinando Casini (the President of the Italian Congress) that
“for the first time their was official recognition of the existence
of the problem of proselytism in the territory of the Patriarchy of
Moscow, above all on the part of religious orders”. We don’t know how
much MP Casini has appreciated these updates of the Joint Working
Group. What is certain is that Orthodox authorities have always
been suspicious about religious orders. Probably, they cannot fully
understand either the independence of the orders from the dioceses
(such thing does not exist in the East), or their missionary nature
(and almost all the Orders have the word ‘missionary’ in their name).
It is not a coincidence that in the past someone accused even the
Indian nuns of Mother Theresa- who were called to Armenia by the
government after the earthquake of 1998- or proselytising.
Evangelisation
In truth, Kovalevskij emphasised that the Catholic Church rejects
proselytism at every level. He added that the Catholic Church has
no intention to proselytise in Russia, as this is a country where
it is not necessary to spread the Gospel. After all, Russia has a
long Christian tradition. It is not the situation of New Guinea or
an African country where it is necessary to preach the Gospel. These
affirmations seem to be not in line with the real situation of the
country. Kovalevskij concluded by saying that “our relationships
with the Orthodox church are cold, but it is not winter yet”, echoing
Patriarch Aleksij who declared that “there are some clouds” over our
relationship. In this way, with the use of these weather metaphors,
the ecumenical dialogue has taken a new direction, to divide itself
peacefully rather than to unite. Perhaps one can see also the design
of Divine Providence, useful, not only to define new connections
between Christians, but also into affect conflicts on an international
level. Psychological and spiritual confines, more than geographical
and political ones, show the urgency of proclaiming the Gospel of
unity and peace in a world upset by conflicts and accusations for
so long. Only in this Gospel will we be able to find our proper
“ecclesial territories”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Priest defies Israel’s ‘separation wall’
Worldwide Faith News (press release)
June 3 2004
World Council of Churches 7 Feature
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 03/06/2004 – feat-04-12
“These are my guests, and this is my house”
Priest defies Israel’s ‘separation wall’
By Larry Fata
Free short video and photos available, see below.
“No! These are my guests, and this is my house!” The admonition is
delivered to Israeli soldiers attempting to stop a group of Palestinian
women crossing the grounds of a monastery. The messenger is Father Claudio
Ghilardi, a Passionist priest from Italy. His message is clear: at least
as far as the monastery grounds are concerned, he will not permit the
harassment of Palestinians by soldiers. The soldiers desist as long as
Father Claudio is present. The Palestinians continue on their way,
attempting to cross the monastery and reach Jerusalem on the other side.
The continuation of their journey depends on whether soldiers are waiting
at the exit, but at least they were able to get this far, thanks to Father
Claudio’s intervention.
Father Claudio cuts an elegant figure in his long black robe and matching
black beret. He seems weary on this particular day, however. He relates
how he has been chasing Israeli border police off the grounds and dealing
with soldiers all morning. The source of his weariness can be seen looming
in the distance; it is Israel’s “separation wall.” An ugly concrete
behemoth standing about 30 feet (nine metres) tall, dwarfing the much
smaller but more aesthetically pleasing stone monastery walls, the
“separation wall” stands poised to invade, as the two gaping holes in the
monastery wall attest. For now, work has stopped only a few feet from the
monastery grounds, thanks in part to the interventions of both the Italian
consul and the Vatican apostolic nuncio, but much damage has already been
done. And Father Claudio does not think that this reprieve will last for
very long. “This is not a barrier,” he exclaims. “This is a border. Why
don’t they speak the truth?”
The Santa Marta dei Padri Passionisti monastery is located at the
confluence of East Jerusalem, Abu Dis and Al-Izariyyeh (Bethany), the
latter the biblical home of the sisters Mary and Martha and their brother
Lazarus. It seems that the Israeli authorities want to build their wall
right through the monastery grounds, in contravention of the 1997 agreement
between the State of Israel and the Vatican respecting ecclesiastical
property. Not only will the people of Bethany, Abu Dis and parts of East
Jerusalem be cut off from the rest of Jerusalem economically, but the 2,000
Christians living in the vicinity of the monastery will lose their
spiritual centre as well.
Father Claudio’s church, named for St Martha, is now empty. The faithful
are not allowed to come to the church because it is situated on the
Jerusalem side of the grounds. They can enter the monastery on the Bethany
side but are not allowed, when soldiers or police are present, to approach
the Jerusalem side where they could conceivably exit. Many of the
Christians who used to fill the church come from the bordering towns of Abu
Dis and Bethany, and most lack the permits to enter Jerusalem. Due to
these conditions, Father Claudio celebrates mass where they are allowed to
go in a church belonging to the neighbouring Comboni sisters’ convent on
the Bethany side.
The monastery forms the centre of a Catholic “complex” that includes three
nearby convents. The Sisters of Charity run an orphanage for 45 children;
the Comboni Sisters have a school for 38 elementary-aged students; and the
Sisters of Notre Dame de Douleurs in Abu Dis have a rest home for 74
elderly Bedouins. The convents and the people they serve will be cut off
from each other and from Father Claudio.
On top of all the religious and property issues, there is the matter of the
archaeological importance of the grounds. The monastery is the site of
some large cisterns dating back to Roman times and 12 large tombs belonging
to members of the early Jewish-Christian community, with inscriptions in
Aramaic. Some of these finds have been disturbed or damaged by the
activities surrounding the construction of the wall. “When they came, they
damaged these sites,” Father Claudio says. “The government does not
respect the history of this land * a history that is important to the
Jewish people as well.”
Much has been said by the Israeli government about its need for a wall to
stop terrorist attacks within its pre-1967 borders. Much has been written
criticizing the placement of the wall in some places deep within the West
Bank, de facto annexing much Palestinian land. Israel has stated that the
“separation fence” or “barrier,” as the government prefers to call it, is
necessary to separate Israelis from Palestinians.
Even if one accepts the government’s argument that the wall is necessary
for Israel’s security, most Palestinians can’t understand why it has to go
through this area. “There are no Jews here. It’s not going to separate
Jews from Palestinians. It will separate Palestinians from Palestinians,”
comments Emad, who currently holds a Jerusalem ID and can make the short
walk to get to work, but will be unable to do so if the wall through the
monastery is completed.
And what will the wall do to the dwindling Christian community in the Holy
Land? Christians once made up a thriving and healthy 10-15% of the
Palestinian population. They now are officially only 2%, and some say that
the actual figure is closer to 1%. Building a wall right through the
monastery, separating Christians from their church and community services,
will only cause the further exodus of Christians from the Holy Land.
“We have lived here for over 100 years, under Turkish, British, Jordanian
and now Israeli governments, and no one ever tried to stop the people from
coming to pray. This wall will stop people from coming to church to pray.
Why? It is scandalous,” protests Father Claudio.
Israel has denied charges that it is trying to force the churches out, but
its recent policy denying most visa applications for clergy and lay church
workers, making it difficult if not impossible for the churches to continue
their work, will also cause erosion in the Christian community here.
Despite difficulties, Father Claudio vows to stay
Driving along the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives on our way to see
Father Claudio, we pass Beit Fage (Bethpage), where Jesus stopped to eat
some figs on his way into Jerusalem. It is from here that Christians begin
their Holy Week celebrations on Palm Sunday, following in the footsteps of
Christ as he descended from the top of the Mount of Olives and into the Old
City of Jerusalem. Soon, Bethpage will be cut off from many of the
Christian communities outside Jerusalem because of the wall, making the
Palm Sunday procession an endangered tradition for the local population.
Upon arriving in the area known locally as “Bawabe,” we can immediately see
part of Father Claudio’s problem. A temporary concrete wall blocks the
road that used to connect East Jerusalem with Bethany. There is a small
opening where, today, a soldier is checking IDs. This wall runs
perpendicular with the monastery, meaning that part of the property is on
what would be the Jerusalem side of the wall and part on the other side.
The wall is covered with graffiti: “Love God, love people;” “Peace comes
by agreement not separation;” and “God leads us to peace.” Going towards
Bethany and Abu Dis is not a problem, and the soldier pays us no mind, nor
does he pay any mind to the Palestinian students crossing on their way to
Al Quds University or the many other Palestinians going in that direction.
But he checks all the IDs of the Palestinians coming into Jerusalem. Those
without the blue Jerusalem ID or the proper permits are not allowed
passage.
There is a sea of taxis and mini-vans that serve as shared taxis here, on
both sides of the Bawabe wall. There are also makeshift stands selling
everything from fruit and vegetables to shoes and t-shirts. These
entrepreneurs try to take advantage of the foot traffic Israel has created
with its plethora of checkpoints; it is a booming cottage industry of sorts
in an area that has an unemployment rate of 60% or higher. We make our way
through the crowd, to enter the seeming oasis of peace and tranquility that
is the Santa Marta dei Padri Passionisti monastery.
The grounds are actually a beehive of activity. There are soldiers all over
the place attempting to stop Palestinians, and Father Claudio is
intervening on behalf of his “guests.” Members of the Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) are acting as
witnesses and advocates. All this in a beautiful pastoral field dotted
with olive, almond and pine trees that, at this moment, is simply
pandemonium.
Mostly, the Palestinians trying to cross are people who work in Jerusalem
but don’t have the proper permits. There are also people crossing to get
medical attention, since facilities in some parts of the West Bank are few
and far between. This morning, Father Claudio was woken up at 4 a.m. by
the sounds of tear gas being fired by border police in what is essentially
his back yard. Soldiers have been maintaining a constant presence on the
grounds, and recently, the border police have started making regular
appearances as well.
“These people help me when the soldiers are in the area,” Father Claudio
says, referring to the Ecumenical Accompaniers. Alexandra Rigby-Smith, an
accompanier from Sweden, was working at the monastery today. “Many of the
people were scared,” she said. “We tried to help them get past the
soldiers so they could go to work, the hospital, university, to see family,
etc. One Bedouin woman was shaking, she was so nervous. We were able to
get some people through, but one pregnant woman, who was on her way to the
doctor, was refused a pass. That was very frustrating.”
Father Claudio tells us that a few months ago, soldiers found explosives on
one of the Palestinians crossing the monastery. But he doesn’t see that as
a reason for collectively punishing the entire community. One of the
soldiers tells a member of our group that the Palestinians dug a tunnel
below the monastery grounds to bring explosives into Jerusalem. We
inspected the “tunnel”, and there is definitely an opening large enough for
a person to get through, but not much more.
For Father Claudio, it is hardly surprising that people try any way to get
to the other side where they can find work: “The father of one family I
know with eight children hasn’t worked in one month. I help them
spiritually and I give them some food. Much more than that, I cannot
do.”
But Father Claudio does do much more. People see the monastery as a safe
haven. The sick come to him and he takes them to the hospital in his car,
using his status to get around the closures. He has had to rush women in
labour to the hospital as well. Were it not for him, these women would
have had to deliver their babies at home, a situation that adds to the
infant mortality rate in Palestine. The people call him “abuna” – our
father – even if they are not Christian.
But even Father Claudio is not always able to circumvent the authorities,
and he’s not immune from the troubles either. He shows us a scar on his
arm. “This was a gift from the army,” he tells us. “They fired tear gas
and it hit me right here.”
Father Claudio takes us around the monastery on an impromptu tour, pointing
to buildings owned by the Latin Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Greek Orthodox
and Anglican Churches. Some of the buildings are used as low-cost housing
for local Palestinian Christians. The wall will separate all of these
community centres.
All the while our group is walking along a dirt path between the rows of
olive trees, Palestinians are scurrying by us in the other direction trying
to cross. Soldiers are stopping them and the ecumenical accompaniers are
advocating for them. When Father Claudio comes by, he tells the soldiers
not to bother the Palestinians and, curiously, they listen without
argument. Of course, he can’t intervene on behalf of every Palestinian who
tries to cross and he can’t be present at all times.
“This wall doesn’t respect the human rights of the Palestinian people,”
Father Claudio says. “It doesn’t respect private property because the
Israeli government takes the land to build it. It is not the land of the
government, it is the land of poor people. What more do they want from
these people?”
Father Claudio gets some help with the many caretaking chores from another
Italian priest from Abu Dis. Otherwise, he is essentially alone, but it was
not always this way. Before the outbreak of the current Intifada in 2000,
there were five priests living in the monastery with him. They all left
because of the fear and uncertainty caused by the situation. When asked if
he will be forced to leave as well, he replies defiantly: “The only way I
will leave is if they kill me. This is my home. These people are my family.”
Our tour ended at Father Claudio’s church, where the absence of worshippers
is symbolic of the disappearing presence of Christians in the Holy Land.
Located just a few hundred metres away is the traditional site where the
Gospel tells us Jesus called into the tomb of Lazarus and brought him back
from the dead. If the wall is completed, it may take a miracle of a
similar magnitude to bring back the Christian community here.
Larry Fata, a Catholic teacher and journalist from USA is managing editor
and communication officer of the EAPPI.
A free short movie (3 min., 50 Mb) featuring Father Claudio is available
at:
> News & Updates > Catholic monastery could be divided
by
wall or click on this Link
Free high resolution photos are available at:
Media contact in Jerusalem: Cathy Nichols, Phone +972 2 628 9402
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)
was launched in August 2002. Ecumenical accompaniers monitor and
report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law,
support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and
Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection
through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy,
and stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling
against the occupation. The programme is co-ordinated by the World
Council of Churches. Website:
For more information contact:
Media Relations Office
tel: (+41 22) 791 64 21 / (+41 22) 791 61 53
e-mail:[email protected]

The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 3 2004
PARLIAMENT NEWS
[June 03, 2004, 17:08:31]
As was informed by AzerTAj, the delegation led by the deputy of
parliament of Israel Amnion Cohen on June 2 has met Samad Seyidov,
the chairman of standing committee of Milli Majlis on the international
links and inter-parliamentary relations.
Having welcomed the visitors, Mr. Seyidov has told about development
of relations between our countries in political, economic and cultural
areas. He has noted that today Azerbaijan develops both in economic and
political relations and is interested in expansion of the international
links and cooperation.
Then chairman of the Committee has in detail informed on the reasons
of occurrence of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
the fair position of official Baku in connection with settlement of
the problem.
Mr. Amnion Cohen has noted that the purpose of arrival to Azerbaijan
consists in participation in the 11th International Exhibition –
Conference “Caspian Oil-Gas – 2004 ” in Baku Alongside with it,
they are going to carry out a number of bilateral meetings and have
exchange of opinions concerning development of our communications.
The purpose of the said meeting consists of discussion of prospects
of expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The visitor also has emphasized, that Israel supports the fair position
of Azerbaijan on settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Then, the parties had comprehensive exchange of opinions on other
questions representing mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress