Editor-in-chief of the Jordanian daily, Al Rai,
I would like to comment on an article titled, “O naive Pope, is this an angel of peace?“ which was published by Jordanian daily Al Rai on May 18, 2015, written by Noah Klieger, and translated from Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot.
This translated article written by Israeli journalist Noah Klieger was published at a time when the flags of Arab countries, including Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon, were hoisted at the Vatican Square in jubilation of Pope Francis’ canonization of two Arab saints from Palestine, and at a time when Jordanian and Palestinian delegations filled the streets and squares of Rome expressing joy, raising national flags and singing national songs.
Instead of having news items published with relevance to the canonization of the two nuns who lived in the 19th century and early 20th century—among whom is Mary Alfonsine who lived in Salt and worked with dedication in the Church and schools—this article published without any remark by the page editor on this “opinion” page, as it is sometimes referred to, is not represented by an Israeli tendentious article that undermines the efforts exerted to attain peace and cordiality among people.
The article reported that the "naive" Pope, as referred to, had addressed something to the Palestinian president, which is definitely a distorted issue, for the Pope did not tell "Abu Mazen" that he is an angel of peace, but as customary in reception of presidents, he presented him with a medal representing “an angel of peace”. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi had clearly elaborated on this.
Secondly, the most serious part of the article is the reference to religious freedom, and the fleeing of Palestinians from areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority to various world countries at a time when those living in Israel enjoy the bliss of absolute religious freedom.
With the escalation of religious-triggered violence in several Arab countries and the acts of killing in the name of the Almighty God which resulted in the displacement of Christians in some countries, Israel deliberately shows off as being the safest country for Christians in the Middle State. A “pro-Israeli” priest had gone to the United Nations in Geneva and New York, stating that Israel is the safest state for the Christians. He is, by the way, the priest who calls the Christians who live in Israel proper as Arameans.
Having Al Rai daily publish this article without making any effort to refute these rumors, I am surprised by this attitude that undermines the Jordanian invaluable initiatives which reflect the sublime image of our dear homeland, the homeland of plurality, at a time when the published article depicts Israel as the most secure state and the most respectful for religious freedoms.
So long that the article published in an Israeli newspaper offends His Holiness Pope, depicts him as a naïve person who is not aware of what he utters in an implicit protest against the canonization of two nuns from Palestine, as well as promotes Israel as a country that respects religious pluralism and gives safety for all components of society, then having this article published in this mass circulation newspaper, Al Rai, tarnishes in the first place the renowned and sublime image of Jordan that have launched several important initiatives relevant to respect for religion and to entrenching social peace based on non-discrimination among the social components based on religious or sectarian bases.
In short, this translated article is definitely offensive as it exudes Israeli venom towards the Catholic Church. But having it published in Al Rai daily without comment or even refutation does negatively impacts our image at home and our message to the world.
Fr. Rif'at Bader
Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, Amman
