Bethlehem Pilgrims Guarded (Press, 26 December 1985)

On 26 December 1985, celebrations marking Christmas around the world showcased both joy and reflection. In Bethlehem, thousands of worshippers gathered for Midnight Mass at St Catherine’s Basilica and in Manger Square, where a significant turnout occurred despite a noted 20 per cent decline in holiday visitors due to fears following recent hijackings in the Middle East. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Most Rev. Giacomo Beltritti, led the service, while pilgrims unable to enter the church watched via a large screen next to a 20-metre Christmas tree. Israeli military presence was heightened, with troops patrolling and stationed on rooftops in the area to ensure security. In Shepherds’ Field, on the West Bank, hundreds of pilgrims sang carols and attended services under the watchful eyes of armed soldiers, recalling the biblical significance of the site where shepherds learned of Jesus' birth. Meanwhile, in China, Midnight Mass was celebrated for the first time in 27 years at the Beitang Cathedral in Peking. Esther's church, which had been closed since 1958, was filled to capacity with approximately 100 Catholics who praised in hymns regardless of restrictions from the Communist state. Simultaneously, Mother Teresa opened a hospice in Manhattan for AIDS patients, emphasising the need for compassion and care for the dying. She expressed a wish for these individuals to live and die in peace, marking the hospice as a “guesthouse” for those with AIDS. The Catholic Archdiocese of New York supported the establishment of this facility, hoping to launch similar hospices for patients across the city. In the political arena, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher addressed the Falkland Islanders in a Christmas message, expressing disappointment towards allies who failed to support Britain in recent UN votes concerning the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. She reiterated her government's commitment to resisting Argentina's claims and protecting the Islanders' rights. Peru also made headlines by announcing a Christmas amnesty for 257 prisoners, including some accused of terrorist activities. Amidst this, the nation remained vigilant with 30,000 police on alert for potential extremist violence. Acts of generosity were reported elsewhere, including an anonymous donor who gifted $50,000 to a mission for the poor in Los Angeles and a businessman who paid the bail for nine inmates so they could spend Christmas with their families—a tradition he had upheld for 15 years. In a more somber note, a man known as Santa C. Claus, who had devoted nearly two decades to bringing joy to children and the elderly, was found dead in his hotel room just days before Christmas. Tragedy also struck at a Manila fish market, where a vendor shot and killed an employee who persistently sought a Christmas bonus. This series of events highlighted a mix of celebration, compassion, generosity, and, regrettably, violence during a season traditionally associated with goodwill.

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