Acta Francisci Pp. 179

Article 15

§ 1. The Catholic Church shall freely exercise her authority and canoni- cal jurisdiction in all Holy Places, shrines, churches, chapels, ceme- teries, other sacred places, religious houses and clerical residences. For the avoidance of doubt, this does not exclude the applicability of Palestinian law and jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters.

§ 2. The sanctity of the places described in § 1 above shall be respected at all times. The security forces shall not enter these places without coordination with the competent ecclesiastical authority, except in clear and immediate life threatening situations.

§ 3. Licensed personnel of the Church shall enjoy freedom in preaching during religious functions.

Article 16

§ 1. The sacred character of the Holy Places shall be respected and pro- tected.

§ 2. Likewise respected and protected shall be the sacred character of areas and localities of special significance to Catholic believers, es- pecially those frequented by Catholic pilgrims or where there is a particular concentration of shrines.

Article 17

§ 1. All forms of worship shall be constantly guaranteed.

§ 2. The freedom of pilgrimage to the Holy Land for Catholics is recognized as pertaining to the freedom of worship. Where applicable, the State of Palestine shall take due account of this in considering applications for entry permits into its territory for the purpose of pilgrimage.

§ 3. Since pilgrimages are acts of religious worship, there shall be no interference by non-ecclesiastical authorities in the guiding of pil- grims. Specifically Catholic pilgrim shall have the right to avail themselves throughout of any Catholic pilgrim guide duly authorized by the Church, and cannot be obliged to use the services of any other guide, in addition to or in substitution of such a guide.

§ 4. The Holy See shall make every endeavour, in coordination with ec- clesiastical institutions and other institutions, to accommodate pil-