(ANSAmed) - NAPLES, MAY 20 - 'Hundreds of young people
eating, studying and playing together, this form of dialogue is
more important than a summit of authorities from different
countries', according to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad
Twal, who was speaking about the construction of a campus at the
Catholic university in Madaba, Jordan. The structure, which will
host students from all over the Middle East, will be funded by
the Christian workers' movement which welcomed the patriarch in
Naples during a three-day conference dedicated to European
studies on the issue of 'Europe and the Mediterranean - European
integration amid crisis, dialogue and identity challenges'. The
conference wrapped up on Sunday.
Twal recalled how the university's first stone was set on the ground by Benedict XVI and that Pope Francis has also expressed 'the will to come and visit the university'. The patriarch also cited the difficult cohabitation between Israelis and Palestinians, saying 'the situation is still the same: the occupation is the same, the walls of separation and checkpoints are still in the same place. The world's attention has just moved to Syria'.
The university in Madaba in its first year of life has already 850 students from all Arab countries, in particular Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, Syria and Israel. 'We are confident we will further grow in the coming years also thanks to aid as the one coming from Naples where we have met with great sensibility towards our problems', the patriarch said. 'I have always stressed the importance of education and the growth of a new leadership open to dialogue and to meet'.
The aid provided will total 50.000 euros every trimester for a total of 400.000 euros. 'The new project follows one implemented in Israel where in two years we have funded the construction of homes for young couples on the outskirts of Jerusalem', said Carlo Costalli, president of the Christian workers' movement. 'The theme of education is key for peace, there is a new generation out there whose grandparents and even whose fathers have fought against each other but who can now grow up together and dialogue'.
Mons. Salvatore Fratellanza, a delegate of the archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Crescenzio Pepe, also intervened in lieu of the cardinal who had the flu. Fratellanza said he hoped initiatives like this one would bring 'a revolution of peace and integration between populations and religions to form an increasingly open Europe, also towards countries in the southern Mediterranean'. (ANSAmed)
Twal recalled how the university's first stone was set on the ground by Benedict XVI and that Pope Francis has also expressed 'the will to come and visit the university'. The patriarch also cited the difficult cohabitation between Israelis and Palestinians, saying 'the situation is still the same: the occupation is the same, the walls of separation and checkpoints are still in the same place. The world's attention has just moved to Syria'.
The university in Madaba in its first year of life has already 850 students from all Arab countries, in particular Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, Syria and Israel. 'We are confident we will further grow in the coming years also thanks to aid as the one coming from Naples where we have met with great sensibility towards our problems', the patriarch said. 'I have always stressed the importance of education and the growth of a new leadership open to dialogue and to meet'.
The aid provided will total 50.000 euros every trimester for a total of 400.000 euros. 'The new project follows one implemented in Israel where in two years we have funded the construction of homes for young couples on the outskirts of Jerusalem', said Carlo Costalli, president of the Christian workers' movement. 'The theme of education is key for peace, there is a new generation out there whose grandparents and even whose fathers have fought against each other but who can now grow up together and dialogue'.
Mons. Salvatore Fratellanza, a delegate of the archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Crescenzio Pepe, also intervened in lieu of the cardinal who had the flu. Fratellanza said he hoped initiatives like this one would bring 'a revolution of peace and integration between populations and religions to form an increasingly open Europe, also towards countries in the southern Mediterranean'. (ANSAmed)
