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LATIN PATRIARCHATE PRINTING PRESSBEIT JALA – 2014

EditorialNumber 36

OCTOber 2014

Solidarity and Encouragementof the Holy See to the MiddleEastern Christians

Pope Francis will convene a consistory dedicated to the Middle East on Monday, October 20, the day after the closing of the Synod. Another sign of the closeness of the Holy Father and the Synod to families in the region, including persecuted and refugee families. On Monday, October 6, a message of solidarity to the families who are suffering in the Middle East had already been sent from the Assembly of Bishops. The next day, October 7, Francis announced a consistory on the Middle East in the wake of the meeting of the apostolic nuncios of Egypt, Israel and Palestine, Jordan, of Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, held in Rome from October 2 to 4, just the day before the opening of the synod.

A crisis meeting for the dramatic rise of terrorism and Islamic State in the region, and during which the Middle East nuncios stressed, like Monsignor Parolin at the UN, that it is “lawful stop the aggressor, always in accordance with international law,” while noting that “we cannot entrust the resolution of the problem only to a military response.”

“The presence of Christians in the Middle East” was the topic for the meeting at the highest level of the Vatican Secretariat of State, pinpointing immediately breaking news from a region where Christians are hunted and where their right to live is simply denied.

Pope Francis denounced what he has tirelessly denounced from the beginning of his pontificate, namely arms trafficking, the root of all evil violence. During his trip to the Holy Land in May, in the Jordan, surrounded by thousands of refugees, the first victims of violence,

the Holy Father departed from his formal text and cried out indignantly: “Who is behind the arms sales?” And “who is responsible for selling arms to the belligerents fueling the conflict?” He did not provide answers, but immediately called out, in a serious voice, praying that “God converts violent.”

The message of the Pope, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to go in person to the Christians of Iraq, is clear: prayer is the first support for those Christians and other religious minorities, it is urgent to “demonstrate the solidarity of the whole Church towards the Christians of the Middle East” but also “to involve the international community and all people of good will.”

On October 20, the Pope meets all the cardinals present in Rome, together with the six Patriarchs of the Middle East and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, for an unprecedented consistory. The Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, is also expected to deliver a speech. Recently, before the UN Security Council, he called the international community to the “proportional use of force” while recalling that the purpose of resisting aggression is always the search for peace. The future of the Middle East, at the crossroads of the world and the cradle of Christianity, is at stake.

Myriam Ambroselli

Diocese: Holy Land News An urgent response to Gaza:Coordination of Humanitarian Catholic organizations

On 19 September 2014, the Pontifical Mission issued a press release provided by the Catholic humanitarian organizations in an urgent response to Gaza. The war between Israel and Hamas has compounded an already difficult humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. After 51 days of war, the fragile infrastructure of Gaza including health facilities, education, water supply, sanitation and electricity suffered severe damage.

Israel offers an alternativeroute for the separation barrier in Cremisan

The Society of St. Yves published on September 8, 2014 a press release announcing that the State of Israel offers an alternative to the original route of the separation barrier in the Cremisan Valley, near Bethlehem. A tussle has been engaged in for many months between Israel and 50 families of Beit Jala in which agricultural land - essential for economic survival - are threatened by the Wall’s path. After numerous appeals, the Supreme Court of Israel has asked the State to consider a different route before a final decision on the final route.

Ordinary Catholics sendtheir wishes for Rosh Hashanah

As we approach the Jewish New Year 5775, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land has sent greetings to Jewish civil and religious leaders of Israel, and those engaged in interfaith dialogue, working to justice and peace.

Bishop Shomali in Gaza:“Hope still shinesin the eyes of Gazans” Visiting from the rubble of Gaza for a day on September 1, 2014, Bishop Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jeru-salem and Palestine, met and inte-racted with Gaza’s Christian com-munities there. A ravaged lands-cape and people who mostly want to leave, awaited him. However, life continues and the bishop could de-tect a glimmer of hope after the war.

P a G e 2 n e w s l e t t e r — J E R U S A L E M

JERUSALEM – On September 10, 2014 the Catholic Episcopal Commission for Pilgrimages issued a statement encouraging pilgrims to once again come and visit the Holy Land, underlining the safety of the country, for the good of the local Christian community and for the spiritual benefit of pilgrims themselves.

Over these last few weeks violence has re-visited the Holy Land.

During those weeks of suffering, some groups cancelled their trip

but many others continued to come. They went home very blessed

and left a legacy of blessing in our Christian community. In fact, the

pilgrimage itinerary between Nazareth, Tiberias, Jerusalem and

Bethlehem was always and is still very safe. Otherwise the local

providers would be the first to warn of serious danger and hurry to

cancel their coming were such an action warranted.

Besides, Christian pilgrims are highly respected and warmly

welcomed by Christians, Moslems and Jews alike because they

are considered, in this troubled area of the world, as bridges of

peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Those of you who have already come as pilgrims and pastors

know that visiting the Holy places is rewarding and fruitful in ways

beyond imagining. The main fruits are the growth in personal faith,

the rediscovery of the Bible in its own land and a deep spiritual

transformation. We strongly encourage pilgrims to come and walk

where Christ walked, to come and share with us in our witness to

the faith, to come and see for themselves how they can become

part of our dream for peace.

Our Episcopal Commission kindly asks the Bishops’

conferences to encourage dioceses, parishes and associations to

extend our message of encouragement to pilgrims. It will be our joy

to offer any help needed to make this spiritual journey fruitful and

enjoyable.

+William ShomaliPresident of the Episcopal Commission for Pilgrimages

Fr. Pietro Felet, S.C.J.General Secretary

“Visiting the Holy Land is safe” :Statement of the Episcopal Commission forPilgrimages

Diocese: Holy Land News

l o v e t h e h o ly l a n d a n d b e l o v e d P a G e 3

JERUSALEM – On Friday, September 12, 2014, a delegation of twenty bishops from the United States on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Pope Francis to promote peace, accompanied by members of CRS (Catholic Relief Services), gathered with His Beatitude Fouad Twal the Latin Patriarchate. The countless challenges of the Christian community in the Holy Land were discussed, and the Patriarch and various speakers called for prayer and support of the Mother Church in its most concrete needs.

It is a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Pope Francis who came in May to the Mother Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East to better understand its suffering and its challenges, and thus be able to unite in the cause of Christians in difficulties. This, too, is the objective of the visit of a delegation of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States (USCCB).

At the beginning of the meeting, Patriarch Fouad warmly expressed his gratitude “on behalf of the whole Christian community, not just Catholic, of the Holy Land” for the delegation’s attention and support of the mission of the local Church. From the outset, the Patriarch stressed: “I believe that all bishops are invited to feel co-responsible for the Christian community in this region, the cradle of Christianity”. He then recalled the twin dimensions that mark the Jerusalem Church: the Church of the Resurrection, and also the Church of the Calvary, the Cross. It must stand in the middle of political issues, in face the emigration of faithful abroad, and face challenges such as welcoming more than one million Syrian refugees in the diocese in Jordan. He continued, “We accept our cross. Calvary is not far from the empty Tomb. We never cease to hope and to work for peace for all.”

The Patriarch thanked the American bishops for this “solidarity visit”, reminiscent of Pope Francis’ visit, primarily a spiritual pilgrimage, that was also a witness to this same solidarity, and one where the political dimension could not be ruled out. His meetings with Syrian refugees on the banks of the Jordan and with the children of the Dheisheh camp in Bethlehem were two very high points of his journey. “We count on your prayers, your solidarity, your advocacy and your ability to join your voice with ours to speak with courage; the courage to tell the truth. we cannot keep silent! We are absolutely against any form of violence. And we want peace for all: for Jews, Muslims, and Christians.”

The director of schools, Father Faysal Hijazen, then spoke and stressed the importance of education for the formation of a new generation of peace, recalling the words of Pope Francis in Bethlehem: “The Child is the sign Peace.” The director of the school in Beit Jala presented all the challenges faced by schools in the Holy Land, which have worked in the region for over 160 years, and currently devoted to the education of over 17,000 students spread over 45 schools. Schools are indeed the essential breeding ground for transmission of the faith, of universal Christian values, and teaching mutual respect and coexistence between different faiths welcomed on equal terms. They also help to preserve the identity and the Christian presence in this troubled region of the world. In the very long list of challenges that schools must face, there are two priorities: social security for teachers, as yet non-existent, and the restoration of schools in Gaza. Faced with these challenges, Father Faysal suggested to American bishops that each diocese of their country could adopt a school in our country.

Fr. Raed Abusahlia, general director of Caritas Jerusalem, also presented the needs of the people of the Holy Land, specifying concrete and current needs of the Gaza Strip. After intensive emergency interventions during the war, now it is necessary to face a long process of rebuilding and continue to meet the immediate needs of the displaced and homeless. Father Raed highlighted how Caritas works for peace and coexistence. At a recent initiative called “Footballs not bombs”, the organization distributed more than 7,000 soccer balls to the children of Gaza. And in response to 4564 rockets sent by Hamas, 4564 balloons were sent to children in southern Israel. “This is a very symbolic message. On both sides, children have suffered. These children should play” said Fr. Raed while stressing how, during the war, he was touched by the solidarity of many Israeli associations for peace and individuals who provided assistance and expressed their support for the people of Gaza. The director of Caritas Jerusalem concluded by suggesting to the delegation, like the Fr. Faysal, that the various dioceses of the United States sponsor activities and projects of Caritas.

Next, the parish priest of Gaza, Father Jorge Hernandez spoke, thanking Catholic Relief Services and Caritas for their valuable support during the war. Father Jorge explained the urgency of finding a political and not only an economic solution for Gaza. “We need a solution to the Gaza blockade, otherwise we are going to just rebuild before the next war.” Many Christians choose to leave, and the number of Christians in Gaza continues to decline, recounted Father Jorge. A humanitarian emergency that will only become more acute with the approach of winter is the insufficient number of tents to shelter the displaced, coupled with serious injuries and psychological trauma suffered: “a six year old child in Gaza has already experienced three wars” lamented Father Jorge, launching an urgent call to prayer.

Then, Bishop Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine referred to the two main demands made by Pope Francis during his visit to the Israeli government: a solution for the reunification of families divided by the wall of separation, and the facilitation of clergy movements between Israel and Palestine.

The Patriarch concluded the meeting by reminding that “Peace will never happen by building walls,” and he encouraged the American bishops to advocate loudly the cause of a just peace in the country.

The meeting was then followed by a Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Patriarchate, after which all were invited to lunch.

Myriam Ambroselli

Meeting with a delegation of United States Catholic bishops:“We cannot keep silent!”

P a G e 4 n e w s l e t t e r — J E R U S A L E M

Pastoral and Liturgical Life

TEL AVIV-JAFFA – On Saturday 13 and Sunday, September 14, 2014, Patriarch Fouad Twal made a pastoral visit to the Catholic community in Jaffa. He came to meet a suffering Catholic Arab community, but also a vibrant and large community of Catholic immigrants.

A visit is part of the pastoral visitations of the Patriarch to each parish in the diocese, which began two years ago and continues.

The Patriarch met a suffering and numerically small Arab Christian community that is struggling to find or keep its identity at the heart of the bustling major Israeli city. “Many children do not speak Arabic and most young people do not go to Mass,” lamented His Beatitude. Nevertheless, he warmly welcomed the presence of a group of young Arab Christians who came to the celebration.

The Patriarch was very touched by the Indian and Filipino community: “They are very loyal to their faith and tradition. There are those who live in fear of being deported from the country, but they have found a refuge, a shelter and a place to get together in the Church.” Several times a week, this migrant community, is found in the church or in the center of Our Lady Woman of Valor in Tel Aviv, for fraternal meeting times around a typical meal or time of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. “Some are found in prayer at ten o’clock in the evening having started for work that day at two in the morning. Their presence is a treasure for the Church, a testament to the local Christians often too busy with politics,” stressed Patriarch.

He also met with the civil authorities of the Jaffa Municipality and Police, who affirmed their commitment to do everything possible to ensure that all can live in peace. They further discussed the coexistence of the different communities.

After some traditional Philippine and African dances, various groups of diplomats from Africa and Latin America came to greet the Patriarch, who, in turn, thanked them for their support and the their country’s stand during the war in Gaza.

On Sunday, the Patriarch presided at Mass in the Latin parish of Jaffa, St. Anthony of Padua, which completed his pastoral visit. Concelebrating the Mass at his side was his Vicar in Israel Bishop Marcuzzo and the parish pastor, Father Zaher Aboud OFM. Heads of the Melkite Greek and Orthodox communities came to meet the Patriarch and they also attended the mass.

During his homily, the Patriarch stressed the mystery of the cross is a mystery of joy, intimately linked to the hope of the Resurrection. He pondered the characteristics of the first Christian community in Jerusalem. He urged the faithful to rediscover the values that have marked the first Christian community who persevered in prayer, the teaching of the apostles, brotherly love and the breaking of bread. He recalled as well the importance of “Christian fellowship”, unity among different communities living sometimes isolated from each other when they are called to discover and enrich each other: “We are a single Church, the Church of God.”

During the Mass, a group of women members of the Legion of Mary, whose main apostolate is prayer and home visitation, were able to renew their promises.

At the end of the celebration, a delightful buffet awaited the guests and the Patriarch took the time to greet everyone.

Before leaving Sunday night for Jerusalem, Patriarch was able to meet some members of the movement of the Legion of Mary and their two Jaffa groups: Help of Christians and Cedar of Lebanon. He then met with the pastors of various parishes in the city of Jaffa – Maronite, Melkite, Armenian and Greek Orthodox – and with the Christian Brothers who staff a school in Jaffa. Myriam Ambroselli

Jaffa-Tel Aviv: “The presence of Christian migrants is an assetfor the local Church”

NAZARETH – On September 26, the Daughters of Charity and the French hospital of Nazareth celebrated solemnly and in advance the feast of st. vincent de Paul, patron of the hospital. A very traditional feast, but still retains a freshness for the faithful and the many friends of the hospital, that provides a current message each year. This year the celebration adopted the theme of the General Assembly 2015 of the Daughters of Charity, “the boldness of charity for a new missionary momentum.”

Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo was the principal celebrant of the Holy Mass, concelebrated by a dozen priests of different rites, including an Indian Vincentian priest, who lives in Jerusalem. It was attended by the Daughters of Charity of Nazareth and Haifa, including the organizers of the event, Sister Dorita and Sister Catarina, along with many religious, all the Christian hospital staff, including the Director General, Dr. Bishara Nakhleh, the hospital administrator, Samir AbuNassar, and a good number of supporters and friends. The absence of the representatives of the Municipality and the Ministry of Health of Nazareth was conspicuous. Maybe due to the coincidence of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah!

In his homily, Bishop Marcuzzo connected the life and teaching of St. Vincent with examples of the constant teachings of Pope Francis: live poor and detached lives, love the poor, and a Church of the poor. He warmly thanked the Sisters, doctors, nurses and all the staff for the wonderful work that the hospital does and for its witness of humanity and faith that gives to all without distinction.

At the end of the Mass, a public reception was attended by the participants in the beautiful courtyard of the hospital and allowed the exchange of greetings with the Daughters of Charity and Vincentian.

Jerusalem also celebrates

The Daughters of Charity are also present in Jerusalem, Ein Karem, Bethlehem and Bethany, and on September 27 they gathered in Jerusalem at their Jaffa Gate Hospice. The Consul General of France, Mr. Hervé Magro, was present and reminded all that the community of sisters is under the protection of the French State.

The abbot of Abu Gosh, Fr. Charles, was the principal celebrant of the Mass that was well attended by many other religious and friends of the Hospice community.

Each year, the celebration of the feast of St. Vincent reminds us that charity must be lived daily. In Israel and Palestine, the Daughters of Charity are many, reminding and teaching all the faithful of the importance of charity.

Text from our correspondent in Nazareth,supplemented by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

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Pastoral and Liturgical Life

Opening Mass of the academic yearat the Beit Jala seminary

On September 3, 2014, Bishop Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine, celebrated Mass for the opening of the Seminary academic year, in Beit Jala. A time of reunion and joy for seminarians after the summer holidays. The bishop encouraged them to repeat the fervor throughout the year.

Patriarch Twal visiting Miechow Poland

On September 6 – 7, 2014, in Miechow, Poland, the third symposium dedicated to the Holy Land was held. An event organized by the Polish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Office of the Holy Land in Krakow, the parish of the Holy Sepulchre in Miechow and the civil authorities of the city and the region.

Galilee: Augural Visit to schools of the Latin Patriarchate

During the third week of September, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, and Canon Faisal Hijazin, General Director of Patriarchate schools in Israel and Palestine, have made an augural visit to the schools at the beginning of the school year.

The “Home of Our Lady of Sorrows” Celebrates

On September 15, the Church celebrates Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of the Cross. It is this compassion of the Virgin that the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows in Abu Dis celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 14, around the Eucharist at which many faithful gathered. The principal celebrant of the Mass was Bishop Shomali. Also present was the French Consul, Mr. Hervé Magro.

The Feast of St. Vincent de Paul: traditional yet ever new

P a G e 6 n e w s l e t t e r — J E R U S A L E M

Our Diocese and the World

AMMAN - His Majesty King Abdullah said on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 that Jordan intends to tighten the noose around the terrorists and their supporters, with an approach involving the support of neighboring countries and cooperation in the international anti-terrorist struggle.

At a meeting with the heads of the three branches of government and other dignitaries and religious leaders, the king of Jordan said: “We are working to besiege terrorists and their supporters, and dry up their sources of finance. We are also harnessing all our capabilities to help conflict-riddled regional countries threatened by division.” Jordan supports a regional and an international coalition against terrorist groups. “We are in a strong position... I am optimistic that a better future is coming,” the king said to his audience, emphasizing his confidence in the military and security institutions.

“We are working at all levels to combat extremism and contain it, based on clear plans,” the king continued. “We have gone a long way in fighting such a phenomenon” said the king, citing a series of initiatives and efforts of the Kingdom during the last decade to promote interfaith dialogue, coexistence and tolerance. The Kingdom is in contact with the most powerful country in the world and the most influential capitals, in order to “protect his best interests and contribute to the establishment of security and stability in the region,” he added.

The king added that Jordan would always be “an oasis of security and stability” for all those who come to seek refuge, stressing that the country would do his best to “protect Arab Christians and strengthen their presence in the region”.

After the meeting, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said: “We were relieved to find that His Majesty was optimistic despite the many challenges that Jordan and the region face.” Like the Monarch, the Patriarch stressed that Jordan is a model of coexistence between Muslims and Christians.

“We receive many refugees in Jordan. Jordan, as a whole, has always been a home and a shelter for all,” the Patriarch said, welcoming the directives of the king who is committed to receive some Iraqi Christians.

The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Abdul Kareem Khasawneh, recalled how the King highlighted the political and economic situation in Jordan and called for fostering religious tolerance in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

Myriam Ambroselli

ROME – at the headquarters of Caritas International in the Vatican, a meeting of Caritas Middle East was held on September 15-17, 2014, updating on the geopolitical and demographic situation, and the needs and actions already underway to assist the recovery conflict-affected populations. Various officials openly admit that they are overwhelmed.

More hot news topics were discussed: the displacement of millions of Syrian refugees, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the advancement of the Islamic state, with all its consequences on Christians. The official report of Michel Roy, General Secretary of Caritas International, is uncompromising: “The Middle East is in turmoil and Caritas is overwhelmed by the increasing needs, while resources shrink … We cannot accept that millions of people, entire societies, who once cohabited in peace, be destroyed.”

The crisis meeting, therefore, had as its objective to always search for “the best possible answer to be given, in the months and years ahead, to the tragedy, and how to collaborate with other outside organizations as well as Catholic Church organizations, to promote peace and stability in the region”. Caritas representatives at the meeting came from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Jerusalem, Lebanon and Iraq.

Over the past decade, Caritas Middle East has aided almost one million people by providing shelter, food, basic necessities, psychological assistance and all that can help a population physically and morally scarred by war, displacement and loss. Far from being finished, the work still requires years of energy to continue the work. The directors of Caritas groan under the weight of the task and do not seem to see light at the end of the tunnel.

By providing assistance to the population, the clear objective is to work towards building a sustainable peace. Therefore the important role of local Caritas organizations is that those who work in the region are of the same nationality or the same culture as those to whom they provide assistance. They are more aware of the problems and better able to discern the appropriate needs, and so it is through them that peace can be found, from within and not from outside. Cardinal Maradiaga, president of Caritas International, stressed in particular that “Peace in the Middle East must be based on justice for all peoples. It should not be imposed from outside, but must come from within.”However, in a region enflamed by wars for many years, the hope of seeing the emergence of peace from within is quite low at this time. It also depends on the capacity of countries selling arms to stop sales to the Middle East.

Pierre Loup de Raucourt

King Abdullah: “We’ll do our utmost to protect Arab Christians and enhance their presence in the region”

Caritas faces a colossal task in the Middle East

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To read more, please visit www.lpj.org :•PatriarchFouadTwal:“ForPeaceintheMiddleEast,listentothevoiceofthe

churches” (September 8, 2014)

•ReligiousleadersfromtheMiddleEasttotheUnitedNations“Protectus!”(Sep-tember 16, 2014)

•Recognitionof“Aramaic”:anattempttoseparatethePalestinianChristians?(September 19, 2014)

•EndofthepilgrimageofAmericanbishops:theHolyLandneedsa“miracle”(September 25, 2014)

•Whatisthe“HolyLand”?(September29,2014)

Projects of the Latin PatriarchateGaza: Back to School

COMMUNIQUE – The work of the school of the Holy Family in Gaza now complete thanks to the generous support of many donors, Fr. Imad Twal, General Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate thanked this Friday, Sept. 26 in a statement.

Your Excellencies,

In the name of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Gaza Parish Priest and all our staff and students in the Holy Family School of Gaza, I would like to present you my gratitude for your kind and prompt support that enabled our students in Gaza to Get back to school.

Education is a right for everybody but it seemed a real impossible thing for our students in the Holy Family School after it sheltered about 1200 displaced Palestinians that forcibly left their homes threatened or destroyed by the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza.

In turn, this has brought much damage to the classrooms: broken desks, torn and dirty curtains, bathroom utilities broken and soiled, and water tanks were ruined making it impossible to welcome students within the opening of the new school-year in such conditions.

With your support the staff of LPJ worked very hard for a week to equip all classrooms with 300 desks and new curtains. Moreover, a complete overhaul of all the school bathrooms was completed, replacing broken utilities with new ones. There was also the installation of new water tanks and a new controller. Additionally, the damaged electric generator was completely restored.

Fr. Imad TwalGeneral Administrator

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Latin Patriarchateof JerusalemP.O.B. 14152Jerusalem 9114101Tel: + 972 2 628 23 23Fax: + 972 2 627 16 52Media office : meo@lpj.org

StatementStatement of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land

STATEMENT - The heads of the Catholic churches in the Holy Land met on September 16 and 17 at the Bétharram Caritas Center in Bethlehem to discuss the challenges and issues facing their churches and countries.

1. They deplore the dramatic consequences of the Gaza war and appeal to the Palestinians and Israelis to resume negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict so that the same causes of dispute may not lead to the same results.

2. They consider the pilgrimage of the Holy Father to the Holy Land as successful on the pastoral and ecumenical level and encourage all their faithful to meditate and ponder deeper into the homilies and speeches delivered during this occasion. They hope that the Holy Father will be able to visit Galilee as he promised. For this occasion, they thank the Catholic Patriarchs of the East who joined in prayer all through the historical pilgrimage.

3. They hope that his fraternal meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew in the Holy Sepulcher will promote ecumenical dialogue and that the inter-religious prayer encounter in the Vatican gardens will generate peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land, despite what followed after that in the Holy Land in particular, and in the Middle East in general.

4. They are very anxious about the religious radicalism in Syria and Iraq, and condemn persecutions against minorities and the Christians in particular. The present events in Iraq and Syria threaten the Christian presence in the Middle East. The Bishops express their solidarity with all the victims and displaced persons and hope that the international community will oppose fundamentalism and allow the refugees to regain their homes. The Assembly of Bishops thanks the King of Jordan and his government for hosting Syrian and Iraqi refugees and offering them help and protection. The same gratitude goes to the Catholic Churches all over the world and to all international NGOs that demonstrate strong solidarity. They take pride in the Caritas organization in Jordan and Jerusalem for the great humanitarian work with the Syrian and Iraqi refugees and with the population of Gaza.

5. They reaffirm the Appeal of the Pilgrimage Committee in Jerusalem that pilgrims return without fear to the Holy Land. In fact, the pilgrims’ itinerary was always and is still very secure. Furthermore, pilgrims are a bridge of peace in this troubled area of the world.

6. They met with the teachers of our Christian schools in Beit Jala, thanking them for their dedication and work despite the very difficult economic situation. The Bishops will do their best to improve the status of these teachers.

The Assembly of CATholiC ordinAries of The holy lAndLatins, Melkites, Maronites, Syrians, Armenians, Chaldeans, Custody of the Holy Land

אספת ההגמונים הקתולייםשל ארץ הקודש

مجلــس رؤساء الكنائس الكاثوليكيةفي األرض املقدسة