The Millenium – Archive Article
December 8, 2008

RADIO 2CBA FOCAL POINT COMMENTARY BROADCAST ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 31 1999 ON RADIO 2CBA FM

There has been much debate over whether the third Millennium begins tonight or in one year’s time. I think that the Pope has the right idea: it began on Christmas Day last week – the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of the Man of all the Millennia.

I am not going to get involved in the argument over whether the new Millennium begins tonight. Instead, I want to look at the publication of report of a United Nations conference held a few months ago: the Bethlehem 2000 International Conference.

The UN is a secular organization based on the United States model of the separation of church and state. Therefore it does not usually get involved in religious matters.

However, under the Middle East peace process, Bethlehem has gone under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority and so the UN is looking at ways to enhance the peace process.

The Palestinian Authority wants to use Bethlehem as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. The Bethlehem 2000 International Conference, held at UN offices in Rome, was an opportunity for governments and non-governmental organizations to discuss how international support for Bethlehem 2000 can be mobilized.

Mr Hanna Nasser, the Mayor of Bethlehem, explained that the Bethlehem 2000 project has four dimensions. The first one is religious, that is, the celebration of the birth of Jesus and so it is an occasion to renew the message of adoration, love, hope, peace and joy: the values of the Nativity.

The second dimension is political and the way in which the Middle East peace process is gradually moving towards the declaration of the Palestinian State (in which Bethlehem will be one of its most well-known towns).

The third dimension is economic because the project will be encourage economic activities thereby creating job opportunities. Indeed, it is hoped that Bethlehem could be the locomotive for regional co-operation.

The final dimension is tourism. Tourism will be the backbone of the Palestinian economy. But Bethlehem’s development was hindered because of the Middle East conflict and so the Middle East peace process is an opportunity to create a tourist industry.

The World Council of Churches, with its 330 member-churches in 125 countries, was represented at the conference. The Rev Dwain Epps, speaking on behalf of the General Secretary Dr Konrad Raiser, reminded the conference that the World Council of Churches has long argued in favour of responsible tourism to the Holy Land.

He said that through such visits, many Christians around the world have gained deeper insights into their faith and a greater understanding of the social and political situation in the Holy Land. Responsible tourism enables travellers to get a better knowledge of the everyday life of Palestinians.

The World Council of Churches is encouraging its member-churches to support the Bethlehem 2000 project. I agree. This is a very worthwhile project for churches in Australia to support.

Keith Suter

Consultant for Social Policy

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