A sculpture by Helena artist Tim Holmes was presented to three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Archbishop Elias Chacour of Galilee, during a reception Thursday in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The sculpture was commissioned by a patron of Chacour's work as a way to honor the priest during his visit to the United States.

Holmes has created many sculptures in support of peace and social justice projects, including the 2000 U.N. Millennium Peace Prize for Women. Holmes said his work is about the human condition and lends itself to those kinds of venues.

Catholic Archbishop Chacour is a native Palistinian, an Israeli citizen and the founder of the MAR Elias Educational Institutions. The schools span all grade levels and bring together young people of all religious backgrounds.

"A lot of people are interested in this project," said Holmes, who explained that there are several stateside organizations helping to support the MAR Elias schools.

"Chacour has a lot of fans in the U.S.," Holmes added.

When he was asked to create a sculpture to honor Chacour, Holmes says he was inspired by a story he read in the archbishop's best selling biography, "Blood Brothers."

In the story, a conflict arises when a man insists that

Chacour dig up a vine that has been planted near the church by someone he considers an enemy, calling it "a Communist vine."

Chacour quickly brings some water to the plant and baptizes it instead, offering a blessing aloud.

"Now it is a Christian vine," the priest declares.

After that, nobody is willing to dig up the vine, Holmes explains, chuckling as he recalls the tale.

"It was just such a clever response to intolerance," says Holmes, adding, "It is really a symbol for how creativity and peace-making go together."

"Peace needs no contemplators, it needs actors, people who are willing to get their hands dirty, to get up and do something. The same is true for justice," Chacour has been quoted as saying.

A longtime Helena artist, Holmes' sculptures are included in the private collections of Jimmy Carter, Coretta Scott King and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Reporter Emily Donahoe:

447-4083 or

emily.donahoe@helenair.com