ING 05 - 'A Palestinian for peace', Abuna Elias Chacour, Melkite Archbishop, Ibillin, Galilee

Abuna Elias Chacour was the first Palestinian priest to be appointed in Galilee - 19 years after the State of Israel came into being.  The Israeli military had deliberately destroyed his family's home village of Bi'ram, in northern Galilee, forcing his father and brothers into exile and he had every reason to be a bitter opponent of Israel.   Instead he has become a major force for peace and reconciliation, building the only college in Israel today where Muslims, Druze, Christians and Jews both learn and teach together.  He has written two books and spoken in many nations and, in 2006 was appointed as Archbishop of Galilee (ie. Israel) in the Melkite Catholic Church.   I spoke to him in his office at Mar Elias College, in the Arab town of Ibillin, Galilee.   Mar Elias College website:  http://www.meei.org   -----------------------  Includes NEWS from 'Bread NEWS International' and music from: Northern Exposure, (Northern Ireland, UK) - 'Co. Clare', (Looking Back to Look Forward);Not about Us, (Florida, USA) - 'Have Mercy', (single);Slemish, (Northern Ireland, UK) - 'You Raise Me Up', (Slemish) Produced by Precious Oil Productions Ltd, for Kingdom Come Trust.