(ANS - Beit Gemal) - A few days ago the news spread of an act of vandalism carried out in the cemetery of the Salesians at Beit Gemal by "unknown persons", who have not yet been identified. On Friday 22 January, however, a considerable group of Jews - over sixty people – came from near and far to the Salesian community to express their disapproval and sadness at this serious act and to express their closeness and solidarity.

By Fr Ilario Martinelli, SDB

The visit began with a short address of welcome by the Rector of the House. The group then went to the cemetery where restoration work is now going on. Symbolically they planted an olive tree near the entrance of the house. They then proceeded with a visit to the Shrine of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Mr Beni Salzberg, who is the holder of a tourist guide licence, then gave a talk on the history of the holy place and of the house, with some added details by one of the Salesians.

The highlight of the meeting was when one of the visitors recalled how on Sunday 15 January, while Pope Francis was visiting the Great Synagogue in Rome and addressing the Jews as "brothers and sisters", some evil-intentioned people smeared the walls of the Church of the Dormition in Jerusalem with graffiti that were very offensive to Christians.

The visitor also recalled, with deep emotion, how relations between Jews and Christians had greatly improved in the past fifty years, In particular, he referred to the most recent document of the Holy See issued on 10 December in which Catholics are forbidden to engage in any action of proselytism among the Jews, and it is said that they are saved by following the religion of their fathers.

The group of Jews who made the visit referred to the organization "TAG Meir"      (which means card of light) which was born in 2011 to combat all forms of racism in Israel, in collaboration with other organizations that have the same purpose.

Published 25/1/2016