CARDINAL ETCHEGARAY PRESIDES RECONCILIATION MASS IN BETHLEHEM

VATICAN CITY, MAY 12, 2002 (VIS) - Cardinal Roger Etchegaray returned to Bethlehem yesterday, following the end of the siege of the Basilica of the Nativity in that town. As Pope John Paul's special envoy, he brought the Pope's blessing to everyone and presided over a Mass of "praise, expiation and reconciliation" in the Church of St. Catherine, adjacent to the Basilica.

"The holy place of the Nativity has undergone a long calvary," he said, "and this morning is Easter Sunday. ... Today's Mass must help everyone to discover the true roots of peace." Then, saying that the Mass would be one of "reconciliation and a resolute search for peace," the cardinal thanked all those whose efforts led to the end of the 39-day siege for their intelligence and imagination.

Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio, and Fr. Giovanni Battistelli, Custos of the Holy Land, concelebrated with Cardinal Etchegaray.

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