Aden’s Yousef Church to reopen [Archives:2006/933/Front Page]

Ridhwan Al-Saqqaf
ADEN, March 29 ) Yemeni Prime Minister Abdulqader Bajammal met Tuesday, March 27, with the Vatican Regional Ambassador to Arabia, Almutran Munged Al-Hashem. Both officials discussed relations and cooperation aspects between Yemen and the Vatican, stressing joint effort to plant religious values of forgiving. They also focused on enhancing dialogue between civilizations and religions to achieve ambitions of nations concerning security, stability and peaceful living.

The Vatican ambassador and the pope's representative are expected to attend the inauguration of Clergy Yousef Church in Crater, Aden after its rehabilitation is completed under President Saleh's 2000 directive. Saleh also ordered church properties returned to it.

Clergy Yousef Church was built in 1955. Repairs involve interior and exterior wall painting, plus other maintenance.

The Yemen Times has learned that arrangements are being made for the Vatican delegation to attend a ceremony organized by the Catholic Church marking the occasion of Clergy Yousef Church's inauguration after several years' closure. The church was closed for a long period of time due to exposure and damage from natural factors.

Al-Hashem affirmed the Vatican's care about developing relations with Yemen, saying, “Through my post, I will work on enhancing ties between the two friendly governments to achieve joint interests in peace and development.” He shared the pope's enthusiastic vision to consolidate Islamic-Christian cooperation.

Bajammal highlighted the Vatican's vital role in consolidating dialogue between religions and civilizations, pointing out that Islam emphasizes respecting other religions' ideologies and condemns acts of extremism.

“The Yemeni community is forgiving. This is one of the qualities of Yemeni civilization extending throughout various stages of history,” Bajammal added. “The Yemeni government calls for more understanding and cooperation between Islam and Christianity for the sake of peace and improving human relations.” He wished the Vatican diplomat prosperity and success in his mission to upgrade bilateral relations and achieve joint interests.
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