The theme for the visit, inspired by the Church’s recent Jubilee Year, is: A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope.

The Holy Land Co-ordination is a pastoral and ecclesial gathering, rooted in prayer, reflection, and attentive listening to the Christian communities and peoples of the Holy Land. The celebration of Mass is central to each day and shapes the rhythm of the meeting. 

Bishops attending will represent the Episcopal Conferences of England and Wales, Italy, Germany, the Nordic countries, Ireland, France, the United States, Scotland, Canada, and Spain.

Delegates from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) and the Anglican Church will also attend, alongside representatives of Catholic organisations working to support the region’s people.

The meeting will be moderated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Bishop of Plymouth and Chair of the International Department of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.  

The visit will combine meetings with representatives of the local Church with pastoral visits and encounter with local communities. A particular emphasis is placed on support, solidarity and care for the Living Stones – the Christians of the region.

Programme

A busy programme includes a visit to the Comboni Sisters to witness their pastoral and humanitarian ministry among Bedouin communities, marked by long-term presence, care for families, and a quiet commitment to dignity and justice at the margins of society. The Sisters’ work supporting Bedouin women was recently recognised with a Caritas Internationalis ‘Weavers of Hope’ award.

The local Church features prominently in the programme. The bishops meet with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel, His Excellency Archbishop Yilana, who is also Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine.

They will also participate in an online meeting with Fr Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest serving the small Catholic community in Gaza that sheltered hundreds who lost their homes during the conflict.

Further meetings will take place with the Saint James Vicariate, with members of the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue, and with Rabbis for Human Rights. Delegates will also hear about the work and ministry of the John Paul II Foundation, which focuses on human and community advancement.  

Additional pastoral visits include the Ephpheta Paul VI Institute in Bethlehem, which provides rehabilitation and education for deaf children from across the Palestinian Territories, and the Taybeh Elderly Home.

The delegation will visit the Latin Patriarchal Seminary which forms the future pastoral life of the local Church through prayer, study, and service, supporting both ordained ministry and Lay Adult Formation for service across the Holy Land in demanding circumstances.

Finally, a meeting will take place with the Parents Circle – Families Forum, a joint Israeli–Palestinian organisation of more than 800 bereaved families, all of whom have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict. In the midst of profound personal loss, members of the Parents Circle have chosen a courageous path: to transform their grief into a commitment to reconciliation, dialogue, and peace.

A vital element of every Co-ordination meeting is celebrating Sunday Mass with a local community. This year, the bishops will celebrate Mass with the parishioners of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, spending the day in the village to listen, to share life, and to hear directly of the challenges faced by its people.

Bishop Delegates

Rt Rev Nicholas Hudson
Bishop of Plymouth
Moderator of the Holy Land Coordination
Chair of the International Affairs Department, Bishops’ Conference
England and Wales

Rt Rev Nicolo Anselmi
Bishop of Rimini
Italy

Most Rev Udo Bentz
Archbishop of Paderborn
Germany

Rt Rev Peter Burcher
Bishop Emeritus of Reykjavik
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland

Rt Rev James Curry
Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
International Affairs Department, Bishops’ Conference.
England and Wales

Rt Rev Paul Dempsey
Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin
Ireland

Rt Rev Michel Dubost C.I.M.
Bishop Emeritus of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes.
France

Most Rev Antoine Herouard
Archbishop of Dijon
Co-President of Justice & Peace, Europe
Vice-President of COMECE
France

Rt Rev Joseph Kopacz
Bishop of Jackson
International Justice and Peace Department, Bishops’ Conference
United States of America

Most Rev William Nolan
Archbishop of Glasgow
Justice and Peace Scotland
Scotland

Rt Rev Christian Rodembourg M.S.A.
Bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe
Canada

Most Rev Joan Enric Vives Sicilia
Bishop Emeritus of Urgell
Spain

Rt Rev Abdallah Elias Zaidan
Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishops’ Conference
United States of America

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The Bishops, part of the Holy Land Coordination chaired by Bishop Declan Lang, met with Shireen’s family, local clergy, and Christian youth in Beit Hanina on 21 May.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has paid tribute to the long-time Al Jazeera Arabic journalist and demanded that those responsible for her death are brought to justice.

Patriarch Pizzaballa also joined with other Christian leaders in condemning the actions of Israeli police during her funeral.

Gallery

About

The Holy Land Coordination, made up of bishops from across Europe, North America and South Africa, was set up at the end of the twentieth century at the invitation of the Holy See. The purpose was to visit and support the local Christian communities of the Holy Land.

The Coordination’s main remit has been expressed as the four Ps: Prayer, Pilgrimage, Pressure and Presence.

The bishops are present every year, and by their presence they hope, above all else, to remind the “living stones” of the Christian communities in the Holy Land that they are not forgotten by their brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.

In 2022, the bishops are in Jerusalem from 21 – 26 May. Pastoral visits of solidarity were made to parishes in Jerusalem and the West Bank on Sunday, 22 May. The Coordination group is also meeting with local church leaders including the Latin Patriarch, officials in the patriarchate, and Catholic charities serving people in Jerusalem.

The post Bishops meet with family of Christian Palestinian journalist killed in Jenin appeared first on The Holy Land.

Statement

As people of peace, we pray for an end to the airstrikes, shooting, missile attacks, and communal violence engulfing the Holy Land.

Pope Francis reminds us that: “Every act of violence committed against a human being is a wound in humanity’s flesh; every violent death diminishes us as people.”

The local churches have clearly stated that peace requires justice. We echo their calls for an end to the occupation, discrimination and human rights violations that propagate violent attacks on civilians, standing in the way of a stable and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis.

We reaffirm our commitment to the internationally recognised status of Jerusalem, the Status Quo of its holy sites, and the equal rights of Jews, Christians and Muslims in the city.

At this critical time let us also offer our support to those humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to save lives and alleviate suffering.

Bishop Declan Lang
Lead Bishop for International Affairs
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Chair of the Holy Land Coordination

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The special character of Jerusalem, the Holy City, with the existing Status Quo, compels all parties to preserve the already sensitive situation in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The growing tension, backed mainly by right-wing radical groups, endangers the already fragile reality in and around Jerusalem. 

We call upon the International Community and all people of good will to intervene in order to put an end to these provocative actions, as well as to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem

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The violence used against the worshippers undermines their safety and their rights to have access to the Holy Places and worship freely. The forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah is also an unacceptable violation of the most fundamental human rights, the right to a home. It is a question of justice for the inhabitants of the city to live, pray and work, each according to his/her own dignity; a dignity bestowed upon humanity by God himself.

Regarding the situation in Sheik Jarrah, we echo the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who said that the rule of law is being “applied in an inherently discriminatory manner”. This has become a main flashpoint amid rising tensions in Jerusalem in general. The issue today is not a matter of a real-estate dispute between private parties. It is rather an attempt driven by an extremist ideology which denies the right of existence of a person in his own home.

Also of particular concern is the right to access the Holy Places. Palestinian worshippers have been denied access to Al Aqsa Mosque during this month of Ramadan. These demonstrations of strength wound the spirit and soul of the Holy City, whose vocation is to be open and welcoming; to be a home for all believers, with equal rights and dignity and duties.

The historic position of the Churches in Jerusalem is clear with regards to our denouncement of any attempt which makes Jerusalem an exclusive city for anyone. This is a city sacred to the three monotheistic religions and, based on international law and relevant UN resolutions, also a city where the Palestinian people, Christians and Muslims, have the same right to build a future based on freedom, equality and peace. We also call for an utter respect for the historic Status Quo of all Holy Places, including Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound.

The authority that controls the city should protect the special character of Jerusalem, called to be the heart of the Abrahamic faiths, a place of prayer and meeting, open to all and where all believers and citizens, of every faith and belonging, can feel at home, protected and guaranteed.

Our Church has been clear that peace requires justice. Insofar as far as the rights of everyone, Israelis and Palestinians, are not upheld and respected, there will be no justice and therefore no peace in the city. It is our duty not to ignore injustice nor any aggression against human dignity regardless of who is committing them.

We call upon the International Community, the Churches and all people of goodwill to intervene in order to put an end to these provocative actions, and to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We join in prayer with the intention of the Holy Father Pope Francis that “the multi-religious and multi-cultural identity of the Holy City might be respected and that fraternity might prevail.”

Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

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We are extremely concerned that the UK government has welcomed the proposal. The government should continue to insist upon meaningful dialogue, a viable two-state solution and the application of international law.

We echo the words of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land:

For decades the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict has been at the centre of many peace initiatives and proposals for a solution.

As has been said many times in the past, we think that no proposal and no serious perspective could be reached without the agreement of the two peoples, Israelis and Palestinians. These proposals have to be based on equal rights and dignity.

The plan “Peace-to-Prosperity” does not contain these conditions. It does not give dignity and rights to the Palestinians. It is to be considered a unilateral initiative, since it endorses almost all the demands of one side, the Israeli one, and its political agenda. On the other hand, this plan does not really take into consideration the just demands of the Palestinian people to their homeland, human rights and a dignified life.

This plan will bring no solution, but rather will create more tensions and probably more violence and bloodshed.

We expect that the previous agreements signed between the two parties be respected and improved based upon complete human equality among peoples.

We call on all churches to pray for the Holy Land, to work towards justice and peace and to be the voice of the voiceless.

The Rt Rev Declan Lang
Bishop of Clifton
Lead Bishop, International Affairs
Catholic Bishops’ Conference England and Wales

The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun
Lord Bishop of Southwark
Lead Bishop, International Affairs
Church of England

Link

whitehouse.gov/peacetoprosperity/
Read more and download the full plan using this link.

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Greetings from the Holy Land. My name’s Bishop Oscar Cantú from the United States – from the Diocese of Las Cruces.

I’m here in the Holy Land with the the Holy Land Co-ordination – a group of bishops that comes here every year to pray and to have a peaceful presence. We also come to dialogue and to listen to various voices in order to encourage the process of peace and justice in the Holy Land.

Yesterday we had the wonderful opportunity to listen to a number of voices. In particular we sat down with various diplomats from European countries to listen to their perspective – that was very helpful to us. Unfortunately it was not very cheerful news. It was the same message – one that has been discouraging, unfortunately.

As Christians we are always people of hope and we know that when the time is bleakest, when the situation is darkest, that is when God brings miracles through hope, through dreams of the human spirit. So we continue to pray for the people of this this holy land.

We also listened to young voices – one Israeli and one Palestinian – both of whom have something very deep in common in that they have lost a sibling in the violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

That has brought them together, rather than separating them, rather than breeding further hatred among them, that has brought them together to be a voice of reconciliation, and one of peace and justice

They are modeling for the people of this land, for the Israelis, for the Palestinians – for whoever will listen – that peace is possible, that reconciliation is possible and in fact it is much better for the human spirit.

So let us continue to pray for Jerusalem. May peace reign in this land.

The post Bishop talks about Parents Circle – an organisation for bereaved Palestinians and Israelis appeared first on The Holy Land.

Greetings!

I am Steven Breslin, the Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese of Cape Town in South Africa.

The Holy Land Coordination is a group of Bishops who come to the Holy Land every year in January. This year, we are 13 bishops from various different countries and our aim, of course, is to give support and to show solidarity to the small Christian community in the Holy Land and to make ourselves aware of the developments that are happening in the region.

We started our Holy Land Coordination this year by going to Gaza.

As it was a Sunday, we were invited to celebrate the Eucharist in the small parish church of the Holy Family. It was a very beautiful service and it’s wonderful to see that, even though the Catholic community is so minute in Gaza, nonetheless the faith is very, very strong and people are very committed to living their faith in very difficult circumstances.

What I found particularly touching this year was our interaction with young people – to listen to the great challenges they face and the many problems they experience in life.

One of the biggest problems is unemployment. There’s a massive unemployment rate in Gaza – about 47% – and that unemployment rate affects mostly young people.

The Christian community, being so small, experiences the hardship of unemployment in a very particular way. It’s so sad to see young people with such potential – so many talents and gifts – who are frustrated because they do not have the
opportunities to develop those talents.

So we reach out to them with our hearts. They are not a forgotten people.

God bless you.

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