#580

PALESTINE: SALESIAN REPORTED KILLED IS IN FACT VERY MUCH ALIVE

Rome: 5th April -- Through ANS, the Salesian News Agency based in Rome, we learn that Fr. Jacques Amateis, reported by the BBC and many other of the world's media as having been a victim of Israeli ocupation of Bethlehem, is in fact alive and well.

The confirmation of his good health is the result of a phone call between Amateis and the Agency, where he outlined the circumstances that had led to the report.

Fr. Amateis had offered help to the Brigidine Sisters, only recently arrived in the area, and was at their convent on Easter Monday to reassure them, since the Israeli invasion of the city was known to be imminent.  He remained that evening and stayed awake to catch whatever news he could filtering through from TV or local radio reports.  Early next morning a group of armed Palestinians demanded use of the convent as a strategic point for resistance.  There was little the Sisters or Fr. Amateis could do - and shortly thereafter there was an exchange of fire between the Palestinian group and Israeli soldiers nearby.

Fr. Amateis telephoned the papal representative in the city, who undertook extensive negotiations with the Israelis and the Palestianians in the convent to try to ensure that the convent and its occupants were not harmed in any way.  These negotiations continued on through the day, but in the meantime one of the Palestinians, while crossing the convent courtyard, was fired on and killed.  The remaining Palestinians then opened fire.  Informed of all this through Fr. Amateis, the Apostolic Delegate spoke with the Israeli Foreign Minister in Jerusalem.  Shortly afterwards, Israeli soldiers entered the convent and evacuated the Sisters and Fr. Amateis.  Of the Palestinians involved there is no further word.  The Sisters and Fr. Amateis are now housed in a Salesian Community elsewhere in the Holy Land.