Plight of Christians in Bethlehem

Madam, - Members of the clergy ought to be scrupulous about the truth

Madam, - Members of the clergy ought to be scrupulous about the truth. Politicians may have some licence, the clergy have none - that is, at least, if they aspire to the benchmark of the apostle Paul: "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (2 Corinthians 13:8). I am therefore particularly aggrieved at Rev David Frazer's letter of December 30th concerning the plight of Christians in Bethlehem.

In quite a vehement manner he lays the blame for the whole tragedy at the feet of the Israelis and calls for repentance and reparation from them. I found this utterly breathtaking in its injustice and as an Irish Christian I wish completely to dissociate myself from such sentiments.

Surely even a modicum of fair-mindedness must grant that - just maybe - the "wall" is there because Bethlehem was a source of suicide bombers and snipers and Israelis have a natural aversion to being blown up and shot at.

Just because there are Christians in distress in Bethlehem does not give us a licence to be one-sided in our judgments. - Yours, etc,

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PADRAIG Ó SUILLEABHÁIN, South Circular Road, Limerick.