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The UAE: An Empire Built on Sand?

by Edward Pentin

Abu Dhabi - July 4, 2008

Skyline of Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital city.

An empire is growing in the United Arab Emirates and it's being built in double quick time. Everywhere you look, there are cranes and scaffolding rising between sparkling new skyscrapers. This is famously true of Dubai which has witnessed rapid economic growth over the past twenty years. The construction projects in the city are breathtaking. Much of the UAE's economic success is deserved. But for as long as immigrant workers are ruthlessly exploited, religious freedom is not fully realised, and financial gains are placed well ahead of human rights and other concerns, the danger is that the UAE will just be an ephemeral, glamorous empire built on sand.

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Australian Jewry Clash with Council of Churches

by Edward Pentin - Rome - July 1, 2008

The bay of Sydney (Australia). The city hosts the NCCA headquarter.

Perceived bias towards the Palestinians or the Israelis is a common source of tension in the Holy Land. The occasional word or phrase or, more often, the omission of what is deemed a pertinent fact, can quickly upset one of the two sides. The latest body to fall foul of these heightened sensitivities is the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). Robert Goot, the president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, chided the NCCA last month for a "serious lack of balance" on issues relating to Israel and the Palestinians. He accused the Council of being "conspicuously silent" on the explicit policies of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran to eliminate the Jewish State, and said that Church leaders "lose moral authority" by failing to condemn attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinian terrorists.

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Security Wall Threatening Famous Salesian Winery

by Edward Pentin - Bethlehem - June 26, 2008

Panoramic view of Salesians' Cremisan compound near Betlhehem.

For over a hundred years, the House of Cremisan Cellars near Bethlehem have been famous for producing wines, the income from which has helped improve the standard of living for thousands of local Palestinians. But because of Israel's security barrier, all of its good work is being thrown into jeopardy The 30 foot wall is cutting off access to the Salesian-run vineyard and monastery, and threatens to prevent its mostly Palestinian Christian employees from working there. According to Amer Kardosh, Cremisan's export manager, Israel is turning the winery into a "prison".

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Archbishop Twal Has Officially Begun His Term as Patriarch

Terrasanta.net - Jerusalem - June 24, 2008

Archbishop Fouad Twal surroundend by a joyful crowd at the Basilica of the Nations.

Last weekend was a very intense one for the Catholics of the Latin rite in Jerusalem. On Saturday, 21st June, Mons. Michel Sabbah concluded his term as Patriarch, symbolically handing over the pastoral staff to his successor, Archbishop Fouad Twal. A solemn Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated in the Basilica of the Nations (or the Basilica of the Agony) near Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. In the early afternoon of Sunday 22nd June, Mons. Fouad Twal made his solemn entry into the Holy Sepulchre as the new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Archbishop was surrounded by an irrepressible crowd, at times undisciplined and noisy. Nevertheless, the ceremony was solemn.

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