JERUSALEM. Editorial. Women spring? Profound theology

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1 N E W S L E T T E R JERUSALEM L O V E T H E H O LY L A N D A N D B E L O V E D NUMBER 27 NOVEMBER 2013 Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem P.O.B Jerusalem Tel : Fax : Media office: meo@lpj.org Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on LATIN PATRIARCHATE PRINTING PRESS BEIT JALA 2013 Editorial Women spring? A meeting! Unprecedented! In the heart of the Middle East! More than 50 women gathered in Amman to highlight the contributions made by women in the life of the Church and society in the Middle East. These women came from Iraq, Egypt, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, and also from Italy, Spain, Argentina, Burundi and Mexico. On October 12, the 25 th anniversary of Blessed John Paul II s Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem, Pope Francis recalled that it is woman who conceives, bears in her womb and gives birth to the children of men. And this isn t simply a biological fact, but entails a wealth of implications be it for the woman herself, for her way of being, be it for her relations, for the way of positing respect for human life and for life in general. By calling woman to maternity, God has entrusted the human being to her in an altogether special way. Profound theology In the Middle East today, there are many challenges facing the Arab people, Christians in general and Christian women in particular, because of what is now known as Arab Spring. Such a symposium undoubtedly highlights the need to recognize the role of women in building a more fraternal society. From Yemen to Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and Syria, one thing is clear, the Christian and Muslim women have supported the Arab Spring, it still remains to be seen whether the Arab Spring will support women? Can Christian women review and reconsider the mission of the Church in societies with a Muslim majority, for the common good of all citizens? The role of women in the Church (...) is really to be the icon of the Virgin, of Our Lady, that helps the Church grow! explained Pope Francis during a press conference on the flight from Rio to Rome after WYD. However, for the Pope, a profound theology of women is still lacking. He said: The woman in the Church is more important than the bishops and priests. How? This is what we must seek, to increase our understanding. It is here in the Holy Land, that a mother and child changed the course of history. The feast of Our Lady of Palestine reminds everyone that the Virgin Mary is the daughter of this land, from the East, and is working to increase the dignity of all its people and all the women of this country. Christophe Lafontaine

2 P A G E 2 N E W S L E T T E R J E R U S A L E M Diocese: Holy Land News Latin Patriarch meets the Minister of Tourism In a first meeting of its kind, the Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau met with His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on October 14, 2013, to discuss enhanced cooperation regarding pilgrimages to the Holy Land. As part of the activities associated with the Year of Faith, which Pope Benedict XVI opened in Rome on October 11, 2012 and closing on November 24, 2013, tens of thousands of Catholic faithful from the region and countries including Italy, Brazil and Spain will celebrate the Eucharist at Mount Precipice in Nazareth on Sunday, November 17, led by the Latin Patriarch. The Tourism Minister expressed his hope that the meeting would herald the beginning of enhanced and prolonged cooperation between the ministry and the Catholic Church. Pilgrimage serves as a bridge for peace, bringing together peoples and cultures from around the world. The Latin Patriarch echoed the sentiments of the minister, speaking of a spirit of authentic cooperation and strong communication. We share both a mutual interest in providing hospitality and services for pilgrims and the goal that these pilgrims will return home as new ambassadors for the Holy Land. Source : Ministry of Tourism, Government of Israel. Photo : Avi Revivo Full conference schedule for Holy Land Catholic Bishops On October 2, the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land began their two-day General Assembly at the Queen of Peace Center of the Latin Patriarchate in Amman. On the agenda, among other topics, is the adoption of two official texts pertaining to Guidelines in Cases of Sexual Abuse and Military and Civil Service of Christians in Israel. The first day was devoted to the study of outlines of the last meeting, of the last documents received from Rome, of reports on activities by youth and family delegates, of feed-back on the historical meeting in Amman regarding the challenges facing Arab Christians. The meeting was sponsored by King Abdullah, which brought together no less than 70 Patriarchs, Vicars, Bishops, Priests and other important figures from Christian communities in the area. On the other hand, the issue of Syrian refugees in Jordan was explained in detail by witnesses brought in by Caritas Jordan and four priests who are involved in this socio-humanitarian action, in Mafraq, Hosson and Zarqa. Today, Jordan is a fragile haven, sheltering more than 1 million refugees. Additionally, a meeting was held with the chaplains (English-speaking, Sri-Lankan, and Hispanic) in charge of the pastoral ministry for migrants within the diocese. On the second day of the meeting, the Ordinaries are expected to adopt two official documents on Guidelines in Case of Sexual Abuse and Military and Civil Service of Christians in Israel. The next meeting has been scheduled for March 11-12, 2014, possibly in Cyprus. Otherwise, the Assembly of Ordinaries will meet on Mount Tabor in Galilee. The central topic will be chosen from points to be discussed in the forthcoming meeting of the Catholic Patriarchs of the East with Pope Francis in Rome on November 19-23, Representatives of the Orthodox Church may be present. The meeting is being held at a time when war in Syria and the rising of Islamism are sources of serious concern for the Christian minorities of the East, which will expectedly take place at the end of the full assembly of the Congregation for Oriental Churches. Christophe Lafontaine with correspondent

3 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 Diocese: Holy Land News Conference on the role of women in the Middle East With a report on the role of women in the Church and society in the Middle East, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal opened the conference on October 24 in Fuheis. The conference was organized by the World Union of Catholic Women s Organizations, (WUCWO), in cooperation with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the International Forum of Catholic Action, under the patronage of Queen Rania of Jordan. It was held at the House of the Sisters of the Rosary and had for its theme: Women believers at the service of life, dignity and of the common good. The conference ended on Sunday, October 27 with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, Nuncio for Jordan. It provided numerous meetings with Arab Christian women involved in the political and social field, including the mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun and Assyrian Christian Pascale Warda, a former minister of hospitality and immigration in Iraq. A session of the conference, dedicated to the figure of the Virgin Mary in the Bible and in the Qur an was held at the American University of Madaba. First Church in the Holy Land dedicated to Blessed Marie-Alphonsine Agence FIDES The Sisters of the Rosary in Nazareth, observed the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary on, October 7, This year, the feast day was more solemn and significant with the blessing of the new chapel of the Rosary Sisters, which is dedicated to their co-foundress, Blessed Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas. Representing the Patriarch was Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Who presided over the celebration with a historical dimension, considering that it is a newly built Church. The new Church can comfortably accommodate 100 persons. Almost 200 persons attended, led by Mother Ines Al Yacoub, Superior General of the Sisters of Rosary; Sr. Octavia Gharabet, Council member and local Superior, and her community; some forty Rosary sisters from Galilee and the North of Palestine; members of other religious communities; lay faithful from the area; and the staff of the Rosary crèche. During his homily, Bishop Marcuzzo explained the theology of the rites of benediction by drawing the following spiritual and pastoral conclusion: a new church is localized, personalized and historicized, in short incarnated presence of the Lord in the world. It is therefore an additional occasion for the sanctification of the person, the hour and the time. A new church is a stronger and more widespread presence of the Church in the country, upholding a commitment, and a more sincere testimony of the faithful. On the blessing of the new Church, we rejoice, we thank the Lord, we deepen, we purify more our belonging to Church, as God s people and servants of humanity. By our correspondent in Nazareth Death of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Leader of Israel s Sephardic Jews Ovadia Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel and founder of the Orthodox Shas party in the 1980s, died on October 7, 2013 at the age of 93. He was the father of the current Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yitzhak Yosef. Christians in Jerusalem protest against settler attacks On Sunday, October 6, 2013, a hundred Christian Jerusalemites walked from the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre through the streets of the Old City in Jerusalem to the Latin parish cemetery on Mount Zion, to protest the frequent desecration of holy sites, and places of worship. The acts of vandalism are believed to be perpetrated by groups of extremist Jewish settlers. Patriarch s pastoral visit to Ramleh His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, tirelessly continues the long series of pastoral visitations. On October 5 and 6, he went to the parish of Ramleh, whose pastor is Father Abdelmassih Fahim, OFM. Traditional reports on all aspects of the parish life was submitted by the pastor who also prepared a comprehensive program for the visit. The Patriarch was accompanied by Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Vicar in Israel, and the Chancellor of the Patriarchate, Father Georges Ayoub. French education in the Patriarchate schools: a year full of promises On October 11, 2013, 17 French language teachers from the Latin Patriarchate Schools in Palestine, met in Beit Jala to review the French days of the school year and plan toward the future. Holy Land Catholics celebrate feast for Our Lady of Palestine Many Catholics in the Holy Land gathered in Deir Rafat on October 27, 2013, to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Palestine, which brought together the young and old alike. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate. Ulpan in the Vicariate On Sunday, October 20, 2013, 32 students from different countries and origins met at the Hebrew speaking Vicariate to participate in an ulpan, a learning course in Hebrew, which took place for the first time at St James House.

4 P A G E 4 Pastoral and Liturgical Life Hebrew Speaking Vicariate priests retreat N E W S L E T T E R J E R U S A L E M From October 1 to 4, 2013, all 12 of the priests from the Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew speaking Catholics in Israel gathered together for their retreat days on Mount Tabor. They stayed in the Franciscan guest house, managed by Mundo X, where they were heartily welcomed. The theme of the retreat was the Transfiguration. Six of the priests prepared brief presentations: Fathers Giuseppe and David on the texts recounting the Transfiguration, Father Rafic on the Old Testament background to the Transfiguration, Father Gregor on the transfiguration of a young Jewish boy in Poland during the Shoah, an autobiographical perspective, Father Michel on the archaeology of the mountain and Father Piotr on the sacred geography of the region. There were talks each morning and afternoon. Every day, the priests prayed together: morning prayer, Mass and evening prayer. There was time for personal prayer, rest, sharing in small groups and each priest met with Father David for a time of personal sharing and consultation. The retreat days constitute an important time to renew energy and to strengthen the relations among the priests. We can thank God that we have priests who seek to deepen their faith and work in the vineyard of the Lord. Source: the Hebrew-speaking Vicariate Three important events for the Custody of the Holy Land On October 4, the Franciscan Friars and their friends gathered for the Feast of St. Francis. This year, thanks to the extraordinary popularity and approval for Pope Francis and his visit to Assisi, the charism and message of St. Francis appears even brighter and more inspiring. The Superior of the Dominicans, Fr. Guy Tardivy, was the celebrant of the Solemn Mass in the presence of the His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Consuls General, men and women religious, and many faithful who live in Jerusalem. Fr. Dominique Marie Cabaret, in his homily, urged the faithful to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, surrendering completely to Jesus, becoming a new creation in joy, in humility and poverty. On October 5, Very Rev. Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, celebrated the annual Mass for the start of the academic year of the many Catholic institutions in Jerusalem. Inspired by the biblical readings, he emphasized the importance, richness and extraordinary opportunity to study in the Holy City, where many faiths are present along with the differences and the hopes of many religious faiths. Study, in-depth analysis, the intellectual engagement of students and professors must all be accompanied by charity and prayer to be the seed of a culture of peace and brotherhood. In the afternoon, all the Friars gathered inside the Basilica of Gethsemane, with Net for God in Nazareth The Chemin Neuf Community organized a large prayer meeting and sharing around the figure of Saint Jean Marie Vianney. This event took place in Nazareth on October 18, Prayer Vigil for World Mission Day The Latin parish of Jerusalem held a prayer vigil for World Mission Day at St. Saviour Church on October 19, 2013, in collaboration with the Pontifical Mission Office in the Holy Land. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem led the prayers. family members and friends of the five young brothers who made solemn profession at the hands of Father Custos. Br. Alberto Joan Pari (Italian), Br. Luai Bsharat (Jordanian), Br. Tomasz Franciszek Dubiel (Polish), Br. Tony Choucry (Lebanese) and Br. Ulise Zarza (Argentinian) have lived many years in the Holy Land and continue to serve in the different areas of the local Church. To the joy and amazement of the Brothers, many friends came from every part of the country to participate in the festive day. The liturgical celebration was conducted in many languages (Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Polish, Hebrew), expressing the diversity and beauty of the Church of the Holy Land. Andres Bergamini Faith witness of St. Daniel Comboni October 10, 2013, the Comboni Missionary Sisters celebrated the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St. Daniel Comboni. The Comboni community in Bethany invited friends and supporters to celebrate this ecclesial event. Legion of Mary annual retreat in Nazareth The Legion of Mary holds an annual full day spiritual retreat. This year it was held at the St. NBenedict Pastoral Center in Nazareth on the theme: Mary, mother and model of our Faith.

5 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 5 Our Church in the Middle East Interview with Bishop Marcuzzo at the Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee meeting in Madrid Bishop Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, participated in the 22 nd meeting of the International Committee of Catholic-Jewish Liaison (ILC or IC-JLC) in Madrid from 13 to 17 October Below are Bishop Marcuzzo s insights during an interview with reporters: 1. What is your general assessment of the meeting? The meeting took place in an atmosphere of warmth, openness and deep mutual listening. The discussions were extensive, with bishops and rabbis, experts and officials from around the world and with an impressive range of experiences. My overall impression is certainly positive. 2. What precisely are the best outcome from this meeting? I believe that these meetings help to find a common language, to put together and the ideas and work of cooperation to achieve common goals, and in this case: the fight against the causes of violence against minorities and others. Even on issues where we disagree, we become spontaneously attentive to the sensitivities of others. 3. What is the special contribution you have made to this meeting? As a Bishop of the Holy Land, with the Father Custos, I brought my experience and I mainly spoke about the everyday challenges facing my Christian community in the Holy Land, where we cannot speak of persecution and Christianophobia, but where there is no shortage of abuse, violence, intolerance, vandalism, discrimination, prejudice and inequality against Christians. I also gave examples of what we experience in our daily lives. Of course, I also talked about the positive and encouraging points that we enjoy in the society in Israel, Palestine and Jordan, the most important of which is the freedom of religion and worship, business, training and movement, and the good relationships we maintain with each other that is intensified with Muslims, Jews and Druze. A good forward step was made by private initiatives, religious institutions and interfaith associations to combat mutual ignorance. I am more and more convinced of the importance and the need for solid information on the true Christian reality in the Holy Land and especially the need to communicate at a popular level, and in cultural attitudes. It should also explain that now something new and very positive has been introduced in the relations between religions and cultures in the Holy Land. Unfortunately the vast majority remains frozen in old prejudices. The dialogue between Catholics and Jews is justified, of course, but if we want to combat persecution and violence, I emphatically reminded delegates of the need to work together and to invite Muslims to join our discussions and collaboration. 4. On what points did you insist more readily and with more conviction? Beyond what I just said, I supported a special effort to invite participants to be continuously well informed and well recognized. I have noticed a great deal of confusion, misinformation and a passive acceptance of certain stereotypes and false certainties prevailing in many minds about Palestine and Israel, and therefore Christians in these two countries. Secondly, I insisted, on the causes of intolerance and inability to speak positively of the secular state, I tirelessly proposed full citizenship ( mwatanah), as a remedy for sectarianism. I was frankly surprised that some people do not accept this term, yet innocent enough, for fear of endangering the country s typical identity. I enjoyed some rabbis like David Rosen, who strongly shared this very position for the good of the country, for social harmony, and for biblical values. The third point on which I often believe is absolutely necessary is to improve or change the program of training and education in schools, centers of worship and the media. In this area, the political and civil authorities, and religious leaders still have much to do. If a constant reminder to love others is heard in all the churches, synagogues and mosques in the world, the situation will really change! If in all school textbooks, the common and positive knowledge of the other is presented, then many conflicts could be avoided. The Editors

6 P A G E 6 Projects of the Latin Patriarchate N E W S L E T T E R J E R U S A L E M Our Lady of Peace Center in Jordan Phase 1 Expansion AMMAN - Who says new year is for new projects. The Latin Patriarchate started a new project in Jordan, the renovation and expansion of Our Lady of Peace Centre in Amman. Opened in 2004, this centre s mission is to care for children and adults with disabilities and help them adapt into the workplace. It also brings together activities for young people, with priests and groups for their retreats. There are two phases for this project: the construction of a building to increase the accommodation capacity, and develop a variety of activities designed to help people with disabilities. Located in Marj El-Hamam, 12 kms south of Amman, Our Lady of Peace Centre provides handicapped young people and adults with a variety of support: medical, social, educational, cultural and professional, under the direction of Fr. Imad Twal. It was inaugurated in 2002 by Queen Rania of Jordan. At the Centre, Christians and Muslims work together in serving many people with mental and physical disabilities, who wish to be integrated into a professional life. This initiative is successful and the Centre continues to accommodate people through its numerous day services: clinics, therapy center, outreach and training programs. About 120 people with disabilities participate in its programs. In order to meet the increasing demand for services, a decision was made to upgrade some infrastructure and expand its facilities. The Center hopes to expand its area to about 1,500 sq. m., to double the number of residents from 120 to 250, and increase its staff accordingly within a five-year period. This is one of the major projects of the year The Patriarchate will conduct this project in two phases for the construction of sports and physiotherapy facilities necessary for physical rehabilitation. The first phase begins with the building of a new kitchen and installation of new Italian equipment, and painting of the entire new building that will accommodate the sports equipment including, including a swimming pool or outdoor relaxation facility. This phase should take six months for completion beginning October The second phase will follow as time and funds commensurate with the needs. A Centre that benefits Amman and the region Two decades ago, Jordan had only a few centres such as Our Lady of Peace, that provided care for young people and adults with disabilities. The initiative of the Latin Patriarch to open this centre is in line with the mission of the Church to welcome the poor and those who suffer, to help them acquire and develop livelihood skills. This was a response to a law promulgated by King Hussein of Jordan in March 1993, which entitles

7 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 7 people with disabilities to receive care and vocational training. This law also gives them the freedom and ability to be employed. Since then, initiatives for this project increased and many centres were opened. But their number was not sufficient to accommodate the increasing demand for this service beyond the capacity of workers or trainers. This situation has not improved with arrival of many Syrian refugees fleeing from the conflict across the border. They have come to find refuge at Our Lady of Peace Centre, where at least 55 families have been accommodated for several months now. There are many handicapped people who, because of the shortage of space at the Centre, are not provided with the regular care nor work opportunities. In order to address these challenges and provide for the needed services, Our Lady of Peace Centre is undertaking this process of infrastructure renovation and expansion. It is at the service of all, that volunteers, workers, and handicapped persons may continue to work with and assist one another, and to jointly focus on what matters most the protection of life. Pierre Loup de Raucourt To read more, please visit : Patriarch s speech Women believers at the service of life, dignity and of the common good (24 October 2013) Patriarch s Speech at inauguration of the Lustiger Memorial in Abu Gosh (23 October 2013) A memorial in honour of Cardinal Lustiger in Abu Gosh (14 October 2013) Electric pylon installed in front of Gethsemane Church (21 October 2013) After Peres and King Abdullah, Abbas visits Vatican (16 October 2013) Pilgrimage of French students to the Holy Land in 2014 (9 Octobre 2013) Communique of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe (10 Octobre 2013) Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee: Positive dialog in Madrid (22 Octobre 2013) Archbishop Lahham : The Syrian refugees feel visited (14 Octobre 2013)

8 Order of the Holy Sepulcher Patriarchate Printing Press inauguration His Beatitude Fouad Twal inaugurated the Latin Patriarchate Printing Press on Saturday, October 19. Present for this occasion were Italian Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. It is the completion of a series of expansion and equipment upgrade that now allows the Patriarchate to issue publications and documents fast and of good quality. The printing press has operated with a small team since 2000 in a new facility in Beit Jala adjacent to the Patriarchate seminary. The larger premises allow the printers to function in a much better space area. After the renovation of the building was completed, the printing equipment and machines need to be upgraded, to improve production quality and efficiency of various publications, which includes: newsletters, quarterly bulletins, liturgical Ordos, pastoral letters and other printing requirements of the diocese and parishes. This was the case in 1995 for the printing of hymn books, a collection of hymns compiled by Bishop Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine. Machines were renewed in As the equipment aged, cost of paper was escalating while publications at that time were the more effective means of communication. It was necessary to modernize the printers to cope with the increasing demand for published information. Since June 2013, two new printers were running at full speed. The financial support of the Italian Knights of the Holy Sepulcher afforded the acquisition of the better machines, according to Mounir Hodaly, director of the printing press. The new printers featured five basic colors, with the capacity to produce an infinite number of colors. On October 19, 2013, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, inaugurated and blessed the new machines in the presence of the printing team, a delegation of Italian Knights, Fr. Humam Khzouz, the Patriarchate s General Administrator, Fr. George Ayoub, Chancellor and a number of priests from the parishes and seminary. A plaque was installed, to acknowledge and recognize the support of the Italian Knights in making the Patriarchate s publications and communication work reach a worldwide distribution. Without the buildings and equipment, printing could not exist. It is essential. It is a result of a successful collaboration of the Latin Patriarchate with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, truly committed to its mission of supporting the work of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. Pierre Loup de Raucourt Subscribe To subscribe free, write to: meo@lpj.org Visit our website: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem P.O.B Jerusalem Tel: Fax: Media office : meo@lpj.org