Catholic News Agency: Jerusalem bishop says peace will come from God, not politicians

A Catholic bishop in the Holy Land has called for prayers for peace as tension and violence increase ahead of the Palestine Authority’s request for U.N. recognition.

“The Lord told us to pray for peace. Jerusalem will attain peace through the power of God, and not merely through the acts of politicians,” said Bishop William Shomali, auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem and vicar of the Latin Patriarchate for Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories.

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The Palestinian leadership’s bid for United Nations-recognized statehood will begin on Sept. 19, according to news reports. It could seek statehood through the Security Council, where the United States has pledged a veto, or it could seek an upgrade of the Palestinian delegation to that of a non-member observer state, like the Holy See.

Observers fear the vote will provoke further clashes in the West Bank. On the morning of Sept. 15, three cars were set alight in the town of Beit Furik, just outside Nablus.

Photo: ACN; Bishop William Shomali