Bishop Lauds Israel in Speech to Catholic College’s “middle East Day” Celebration

The Catholic Bisho, of Erie, the Most Reverend Bishop John Mark Gannon, this week-end expressed “great admiration for the substantial accomplishment Israel has made during its short existence.” Bishop Gannon, who is also treasurer of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, spoke at the first celebration of “Middle East Day” at Gannon College, a Catholic institution here. The celebration was held to honor Rabbi Abraham B. Shoulson, Professor of Hebrew and Middle East Studies at the school.

Bishop Gannon characterized Jerusalem and Israel as the seat of religion in the development of civilization. The Right Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Wehrle, president of the college, who also spoke, traced the historical development of Israel from the fall of the Second Temple to the present day. Dr. Moshe Keren, counsel at the Israel Embassy in Washington, who appeared in place of Ambassador Aubrey S. Eban, declared that “Israel’s mission in the Middle East could and should be, by example, cooperation and exchange of knowledge and goods, to teach neighboring nations modern ways of life and democratic freedom.”