Bethlehem University has connection to Troy

Amid terrorist attacks, assassinations, military occupations and suicide bombings in the Holy Land lies a haven for Palestinian Christians and Muslims that many Americans don't even know exists: Bethlehem University.

And among the staff marking the school's 30th anniversary is a Troy native who is a graduate of LaSalle Institute.

Brother Jack Curran, FSC, is vice president for development at the college located in the town where Jesus was born. The only Catholic university in the Holy Land, it is operated by the De La Salle Christian Brothers (visit www.bethlehem.edu).

Via email, The Evangelist asked Brother Curran about his experiences.

Q. What courses do the students take at Bethlehem University?

Brother Curran: The first one they take includes study of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faith traditions. This way, everyone is better informed and educated about the others.

Q. Are there religious services at the university?

Brother Curran: Each day, there is a Mass celebrated in the chapel for the Brothers, faculty, staff, students and people from the neighboring community. Also, there is a prayer room for Muslim students to pray.

Q. What is it like to live amid so much violence?

Brother Curran: One of the terrible consequences of living under Israeli military occupation is that all too often restrictions and punishments are imposed by the Israeli military. [These restrictions are] on the whole population of a town, sometimes for no apparent reason and always without warning or explanation. It is a terribly stressful and unjust way to live.

As a Christian, I do not support violence and killing. Unfortunately, in this part of the world, violence and killing is all too frequent. There is violence and terrorism on both sides of this conflict, and it must stop.

Q. What are some of the restrictions you live under?

Brother Curran: Innocent and hard-working faculty, staff and students travel through Israeli military checkpoints each day -- sometimes being harassed by the soldiers verbally as well as physically -- and are not able to do much about it.

Sometimes, the soldiers would let some through and then not let others through, not telling them why. They are forced to look for another way to come to the campus, sometimes having to walk miles through open fields and around the outskirts of villages just to get to the campus.

Q. What role does your religious order play on campus and in the region?

Brother Curran: The De La Salle community is a talented, professional and prayerful group of men who are a visible, tangible witness to the Church's commitment to the people of this Holy Land.

Q. Would you encourage U.S. students to attend Bethlehem University?

Brother Curran: Experiencing how different and yet how similar life is here from life in the U.S. would be a fantastic learning experience for any American student. Someone interested in social justice issues would be right in the midst of a society crying out daily for justice and peace.

Q. What are you celebrating during the university's 30th anniversary?

Brother Curran: We celebrate our continuing commitment to the well-being and betterment of the people of this land, people of all faith traditions. God has graced us with the prayerful and generous support of many individuals from the U.S. and other countries who want us to continue our efforts for a better future.

(Email Brother Curran at [email protected] or write to him at Bethlehem University, Rues des Freres, Bethlehem, West Bank/Palestine.)

(10/16/03) [[In-content Ad]]