Remarks by Foreign Minister David Levy at the Ceremony Marking the Signing of the Legal Personality Agreement
Jerusalem
10 November 1997
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are gathered here today to bring to a successful conclusion an effort that has lasted three years and to bask in its product: an Agreement that sets forth the legal status of the Catholic Church and its institutions within the judicial system of the State of Israel. This Agreement is unique in the way it sets forth the status of religious institutions; very few agreements in other countries resemble it.
Despite its uniqueness, the Agreement emphasizes the ordinary. It provides for practical application of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel and is a commendable first step on the long road to normalization of relations. The process itself was long, as might have been expected, considering the gravity of the task and the need to find solutions that would satisfy both sides. The negotiations were conducted seriously, based on mutual respect, determination, and inspiration. For this both negotiating teams, especially the Israeli one, deserve congratulations.
This signing also constitutes an irrefutable reply to those who unjustly ascribed the duration of the negotiations to unseemly intentions on the part of Israel. The gravity of the problems mandated fundamental discussions and examinations in order to arrive at an Agreement that had eluded all other Governments in the history of the State of Israel.
In this spirit of good faith, interreligious cooperation and understanding, and brotherhood, I congratulate everyone present and everyone who labored for this Agreement.
Let us join together in toasting the Agreement.
Remarks by Monsignor Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo Apostolic Nuncio in Israel at the Ceremony Marking the Signing of the Legal Personality Agreement
Jerusalem
10 November 1997
Mr. Minister,
Dear Friends and Colleages,
It is a great pleasure for me to address these few words to you today on the occasion of the signing of the Legal Personality Agreement which grants civil effects within Israeli law and wherever Israeli legislation is enforced for the juridical persons of the Catholic Church that have been, or will be, established according to the norms of canon law.
I am very happy that this Agreement has been signed, because it marks a further step in the process of normalization of relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel. The normalization process reached a significant stage with the signing of the Fundamental Agreement on December 31, 1993 and with the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1994. This Legal Personality Agreement was already envisaged by the Fundamental Agreement and is therefore a most welcome step. But it is not the end of the process. I see this Agreement as a platform, the legal basis, if you like, on which further issues of mutual interest can and must be clarified. I am referring, among other items, to financial and fiscal matters that need to be streamlined. I hope that, once this accord will be implemented, we can immediately proceed with this important next step. Another agreement that is also envisaged is one of a cultural nature where other issues need to be agreed upon. I hope that the signing of today's Agreement will give the necessary impetus to the realization of these goals.
As those of you who worked on the drafting of the text well know, the Agreement is a short but very complex document, carefully crafted by our respective experts. As one who was present at all the meetings, I can assure you that every word has been meticulously chosen.
In conclusion, allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to express my sincere appreciation and admiration for the excellent work undertaken by our colleagues both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in other state offices who helped in the drafting of this agreement. While, as I have just said, given the nature of things, this is a very satisfying experience for me personally and for my own team to work with persons of such a high caliber.
My warm thanks to my own commission members: to those of you here present and to those who are unable to be with us today. I thank all of you very sincerely for your competence, skill and enthusiasm. May this Agreement, the fruit of our joint labors, serve the good of the Catholic Church in Israel and strengthen the relations between the Holy See and this beloved land.
Thank you.