Bridges or Walls Summary and Analysis

The rejuvenation of the congregation was manifested in daily food gifts to the door of Elias' small residence and renovation of the church itself by volunteers. Elias continued to visit homes every day, talking the sisters into visiting Muslim women as well, and soon word spread. Neighboring villages were asking for nuns to come there, too. The three sisters started a kindergarten for all village children, no matter what their religious faith. Huge progress was made and, in the midst of it, Elias is summoned by the Bishop.

The Bishop had decided to send Elias to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem to study the Old Testament. Angry and dismayed, Elias begged for more time in Ibillin, to no avail. Grudgingly, he set up a church council to govern in his absence and left for Jerusalem. It was...