n e w s l e t t e r the Pontifical Council for Social Communications

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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 l y l a n d a n d b e l o v e d Number 12 MARCH 2012 Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem P.O.B Jerusalem Tel : Fax : Media office: meo@latinpat.org LATIN PATRIARCHATE PRINTING PRESS BEIT JALA 2012 Editorial Symphony In the harmony of notes, we can hear the sound of harps, trumpets and violins. Christ is risen! The feast concert is filled with songs of worship, thanksgiving, and the triumphant symphony of angels. It is one of these angels who announced the Resurrection to the Holy Women. Immediately he gave them a mission: go tell the disciples. This is an annunciation that we must also receive in our hearts as Christians today. It is called evangelization. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. (St Peter 3:15). With the Vatican II Council, which celebrates this year its 50 th anniversary, the Catholic Church has entered the path of evangelization through the Medias. Evangelization is now on public spaces. The Pontifical Council for Social Communications in collaboration with the Council of the Eastern Patriarchs will held a seminar on communication in the Middle East as an instrument of evangelization, dialogue and peace in Lebanon from April 17 to 20. The Diocese of the Holy Land will be represented. Today more than ever, the question of media at Gospel s service is a challenge. This is a challenge that the Mother Church with its universal vocation desires to face. With its means, the Media Team of the Latin Patriarchate, whom I thank sincerely for all the hard work, is pleased to announce the launch of the new website It aims to provide prioritized information about the diocese. Another new feature is the diocesan archives bulletin (quarterly) which now refers only to official documents of the Patriarchate. The Newsletter remains the monthly link between the Mother Church and all her children who come to visit. Imagine that you are invited to a concert at the Opera. Imagine that you only get the second movement in the third part of the Pastoral Symphony. What would you say? You would feel a little frustrated, not having come to some parts, but for the entire symphony. Our three media schemes are like three voices for a single message, with the same partition, each with its own scope. We are called, you and me, to be communicating vessels. The Word of God is our source, and we have to seek the symphony. This dedication to the communication was widely expressed by Cardinal Foley, Grand Master Emeritus of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He was the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications for 13 years until The cardinal died in To honor him, the Committee of ICOM (International Catholic Organization in the Media) created an International Award that bears his name. This Award aims to honor all those who, directly or indirectly, have worked to make better relations between the Church and the world, as well as with these other institutions that are working for the betterment of humanity. Christophe Lafontaine Fra Angelico painted Risen Christ in heavenly glory, hosted by the choir of Angels (15th century)

2 P A G E 2 Schmidt Schule new director Rüdiger Hocke will assume directorship of Schmidt Schule in Jerusalem starting from August 1, He will replace the acting director, Dr. Klaus Schmitz. The appointment is fully supported by the German Association of the Holy Land (Der Deutsche Vereine vom Heiligen Lande) and by the sisters of the Congregation of Jesus who form the main structure of the school. Lent liturgical celebrations The liturgical celebrations of Lent began at the Holy Sepulcher, on Saturday February 25 and Sunday, February 26. Every Lent Saturday, the Patriarch - or one of his Auxiliary Bishops - solemnly enters to the Holy Sepulcher and heads the procession that follows. On Sunday morning, he presides over the Eucharist. New Maronite Patriarchal Administrator in the Holy Land Msgr. George Chihan was appointed as Maronite Patriarchal Administrator of Haifa and the Holy Land and of the Exarchate of Jerusalem, Palestine and Jordan. The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land have learned with satisfaction the news of this appointment. Concert for Hope in Ramallah On Sunday, March 4 th, close to 200 children from schools in Ramallah and Bir Zeit offered a concert for hope entitled Big Dream 2 at the congressional palace in Ramallah in the presence of Bishop Shomali. King of Jordan receives Patriarch and Vicar for Jordan On Sunday, March 18 th, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan received His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Bishop Maroun Lahham, Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan and Bishop Selim Sayegh, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus. He insisted on the importance of the promotion of Muslim-Christian dialogue and understanding in Jordan. Bethlehem University welcomes Br Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría Bethlehem University welcomed Highest Ranking Official of De La Salle Christian Brothers, Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, FSC, Superior General on March 22, He was honored with an honorary doctorate, in appreciation of his devotion to Bethlehem University and its staff, faculty, and students. The Ambassador of Costa Rica, His Excellency Rodrigo Carreras, attended the ceremony. N E W S L E T T E R J E RU S A L E M Diocese : Holy Land News St. Thérèse brought to life on stage One year after touring the Holy Land (from March to May 2011), the Little Flower has returned thanks to Eva Hernandez in the magnificent play St Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul. Performed all over the world, the play has been received with undivided praise. The present tour in the Holy Land is thanks to a gracious contribution of a group in Nazareth among whom are some Carmelites and where six showings have been met with success. On stage for one hour, Eva plays the little Thérèse with force and conviction; a true and moving spectacle, according to a Haifa Carmelite. To the question of whether playing the role in the Holy Land takes on any special significance, Hernandez responded, wherever I perform, depending on the location, an emotion appears (in prisons, in a church, etc.). Here in the Holy Land, the emotion is very strong. I sense that I am nothing but a messenger, a tool at the service of St. Thérèse. I try simply to be the Word, to be able to reincarnate her for that instant; that is the best thing I can do. To play in the Holy Land, she continued, is special because it is the Holy Land. I feel serene while playing here. Free. There is a great benevolence from the Eva Hernandez has a diploma from the Conservatoire National Supérieur d Art Dramatique in Paris public and also a great thirst. Especially the other evening while performing in the Galilee I believe that while here in the Holy Land, I have become more and more aware of the goodness of this work. It is like a prayer. I realize that I am leading a large prayer. Hernandez concluded, I have the impression that I am at the same time receiving and giving a gift here in the Holy Land. Thérèse is especially relevant in our age. She touches by her simplicity, discloses Michel Pascal, writer and director of the play. In writing the play he continued we wanted, with Eva, for Thérèse to speak today, so that she might unify the world. It has been not only Christians, but also Muslims, Jews, atheists, and Buddhist monks who have come to see the play. Amélie de La Hougue Jerusalem welcomes Bishop Lahham Bishop Maroun Lahham arrived at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, hosted by Patriarch Fouad Twal and Bishop Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop for Jerusalem on Monday, March 12 th. Many priests with the Latin Patriarchate staff were present to welcome the new Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan. Bishop Lahham had an interview with He said he wants to follow with the priests. : Yes I want to focus on the priest and his training. I have always been pastor, and when I was not, I studied and taught pastoral theology and catechesis. In Tunis, I was like a pastor, and people called me so there. For me the priority is really the formation of priests. I trained many young priests (editor s note: as superior of the seminary in Beit Jala) and I am pleased that three quarters of the priests in Jordan are my former students. It is important to meet them, to visit them, to talk to them. Having been installed for some weeks in Jordan, the new Vicar rediscovered the pastoral reality in Jordan: Parishes, scouts, Caritas, movements have taken extraordinary volumes. There are hundreds of young people, meetings, families, young couples... Every day I discover new things. And I marvel at all this life! Amélie de La Hougue

3 l o v e t h e H O L Y l a n d a n d b e l o v e d P A G E 3 Diocese: Holy Land News First meeting of local committee for Relations with the Jews During the course of their meeting in Amman in October 2011, the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land decided to establish a Commission for relations with the members of other religions in the Holy Land Muslims, Jews and Druze. The Committee for Relations with the Jews had its first meeting on February 24, After some months of planning, the seven members of the new Committee for Relations with the Jews, working under the auspices of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, met in the offices of the Maronite Archdiocese in Haifa on Friday, February 24, The members of the committee include representatives of the different parts of the Catholic Church, named by the various Ordinaries: Rev. David Neuhaus SJ, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew speaking Catholics and Migrants in Israel (chairperson), Rev. Yuhanna Bshouty, Greek Catholic parish priest of Jdeideh, Rev. Rafic Nahra, of the Hebrew speaking Vicariate and Maronite Church, Deacon Sobhy Makhoul, Maronite Archdiocese, Sister Reem Obeid SJA, representative of the Union of Women Religious, Ms. Margaret Karram, Focalari Movement, Mr. Wadie Abunassar, public affairs advisor. The first meeting was consecrated to clearly defining the need for this committee and putting in place a program of action that this committee can accomplish. The members also undertook to study the documents of the Catholic Church, the teaching of the universal Church, the documents of the 2000 Pastoral Plan of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, the documents of the 2010 Synod of the Catholic Church in the Middle East and the documents of the local Ordinaries. Hebrew speaking Vicariate Plenary Assembly of Ordinaries in Nazareth Having met in Amman last October, it is in the Abuna Faraj Center in Nazareth that the members of the Assembly are gathered from March All were present, with the exception of the Armenian Archbishop who was in Rome for the Synod of the Armenian Catholic Church. Tuesday, March 13, after approval of the budget and a first round of interventions, the attention of everyone was focused on the theme of the New Evangelization. With a common remarks, Patriarch Touad Twal and Father Guy Tardivy, superior of the Jerusalem Dominicans, marked the priorities of this New Evangelization, offering some concrete and specific clues to the Church of the Holy Land. The members also worked on the Pastoral Council of each bishop thanks to the help of a document by H.E. William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem. In the afternoon, the participants were able to visit the Mary of Nazareth Center, a project for which the Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Bishop Marcuzzo, has spared no efforts. After watching an audiovisual showing, the religious leaders shared lunch with some families, spending time in conversation with them. The same families will travel to Milan from 30 May to The next Plenary Assembly of the Ordinaries of the Holy Land will be held next September in Ramallah 3 June, to the 7 th World meeting of the families at which will also Pope Benedict XVI will participate. Wednesday, March 14, was marked by two strong points: vote for the renewal of appointments and the Holy Mass. The second important moment of the day was the Mass, presided over by the Patriarch, followed by a meeting with around 100 students of the Holy Land. During the homily, Archbishop Chacour exhorted the youth to be truthful witnesses, emphasizing that the Church cannot do without them because they are the future of the country. The Assembly members were reported to be very impressed by the silence and attention of the young people that filled the Basilica. Representing the 10 schools, aged between 14 and 18 years, students were able to eventually meet their Bishops and talk freely with them. A good time for the Ordinaries who always cherish the pastoral dimension in their programs, reports Father Pietro Felet, Secretary General of the Assembly. Amélie de La Hougue

4 P A G E 4 N E W S L E T T E R J E RU S A L E M Diocese: Pastoral activities and liturgical life Nazareth: Catechists reflect on the New Evangelization During Lent many parishes, schools and institutions of the Holy Land organize spiritual retreats. Catechists from our Catholic schools began this spiritual time with a retreat in Nazareth on February 25 th, organized by the Office of Catholic Schools in Israel, under the direction of Father Abdelmasih Fahim, ofm, in conjunction with the Catechism Committee, coordinated by Bishop G-B Marcuzzo. The meeting, at which 51 teachers of religion from all Israel participated, lasted almost the entire day. The retreat turned to the very real theme of the new evangelization. After the introduction by Father Abdelmasih, Bishop Marcuzzo began the reflection with a conference-discussion on the permanent necessity of self-renewal and renewing our methods and instruments of teaching. This could not be done if unless by a closer examination of our faith, as the local Church did in the well-known Diocesan Synod and in its document General Pastoral Plan. This in-depth analysis therefore will not be possible if it will not bring permanent attention to men and children, accompanied by a coherent personal witness, by apostolic zeal, and by a continued rootedness in the Word of God. In the second part of the morning, Dr. Shadi Abou Khadra, secretary of the Latin Vicariate, and secretary of the Catechism Commission, proposed to the catechists on PowerPoint a presentation of lessons from Catechism Manuals for different classes, entitled: Multimedia Catechism Program. The catechists, welcomed by M. Luc and by the Chemin Neuf Community, visited the archeological part, they followed the biblical journey and even went through the small but interesting biblical garden. The group was able to pray in the Chapel of Unity Correspondent in Nazareth Migrant pastoral coordination fifth meeting On March 6, 2012, at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the commission for the coordination of priests and pastoral workers involved with migrant workers and asylum seekers convened to continue their discussions. About twenty five priests and sisters directly concerned with ministry to migrant workers and asylum seekers met for a fifth meeting, directed by the coordinator of the commission, Father David Neuhaus, Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew speaking Catholics.This meeting hosted two special guests: Sara from Amnesty International and Shahar from Physicians for Human Rights. These committed activists came to inform the pastoral workers about recent events that touch upon the reality of the asylum workers and migrant workers. The issues discussed included: the legal status of asylum seekers in Israel and their rights, the new regulations with regard to asylum seekers from South Sudan and Ivory Coast, both groups threatened with repatriation, the recent processing of the requests for permanent residency of over 700 migrant worker families, the reform of the Citizenship Law, touching on family reunification, the legal developments with regard to illegal infiltrators into Israel and the es- tablishment of more detention centers in which to detain illegal infiltrators, the conditions of the kidnapped African asylum seekers in the Sinai Peninsula and their fate when they arrive in Israel, medical rights for the migrant population. Most of the second part of the meeting was dedicated to a discussion of the necessity to find catechists (particularly in Hebrew), get catechism classes organized and provide our children with a comprehensible experience of the Church. In this context, Father David presented the third volume of the children s catechism in Hebrew on the Catholic calendar and feasts. Hebrew speaking Vicariate Directors of Patriarchate Schools meet in Amman School directors of the Latin Patriarchate Schools, led by Father Faysal Hijazin, met in Amman to take stop of the health of its scholastic institutes from February 23 to 25, 2012 The Word of God for School Principals On Tuesday, February 21 st, Bishop Shomali went to Fuheis (near Amman) to hold a conference with the principals of the Latin Schools on the theme The Word of God in the life of a principal of a Catholic scholastic institute. The basic theme emphasized the importance of example that a principal can give in the life of the school. Feast of St. Joseph in Galilee The feast of St. Joseph remains always very popular in Galilee where a good number of parishioners and institutions have adopted him as patron; particularly the parishes in Nazareth, Haifa, Shefaamer and Isfiya. The feast was celebrated in Shefaamer with H. B. Patriarch Fouad Twal, and in Nazareth with the Custos Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa. In the other parishes, Bishop Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo was invited to preside at the celebrations. Bishop Maroun Lahham visits the Jordanian Academy of Music Bishop Maroun Lahham, Latin Patriarchal vicar in Jordan, together with Fr. Bashir Badr, the Latin bishopric bursar, visited the Jordanian Academy of Music, a section of the Patriarchate s University, on Thursday, March 22. He met during this first official visit since he took office with the dean of the University, Dr. Iyad Abdel Hafiz Mohammad and members of the board. Patriarch visits the Emmanuel Community This year the feast of the Annunciation (normally on March 25 th ) was transferred to the next day because of the Fifth Sunday of Lent. For the occasion, the Emmanuel Community invited His Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Twal to the Oasis in Tiberias to celebrate the solemnity. He reminded that the Christian is the person of the announcement.

5 l o v e t h e H O L Y l a n d a n d b e l o v e d P A G E 5 Diocese in the Middle East and around the world Custos asks President Peres to stop anti-christian slogans Following a series of events in which radicals wrote insulting slogans against Christians and Christianity on the walls of churches in Jerusalem, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos in the Holy Land, wrote to the State President. In his letter posted at Haaretz. com on February 27 th, he asked him to intervene in order to stop thess anti-christian insults. These actions, which as far as I know haven t led to any arrests, are but one painful example in a series of similar actions being carried out recently without hardly any hindrance. As you know, it is not my practice to write letters such as this. The various Christian communities live quietly and peacefully in Israel, with respect, appreciation and good relations with Jews and Moslems... Unfortunately, throughout the years we have learned to ignore provocations and continue our daily life. Still, is seems that this time red lines have been crossed and we cannot remain silent. These shocking slogans sprayed on Christian sites of prayer, especially in Jerusalem, hurt the feelings of all the Christians in Israel, regardless of their creed, as well as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visiting Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and millions more worldwide I would be grateful, if you would use all your power and influence with the authorities so that this dangerous pattern of action will be eradicated and these actions stopped, before they become an habitual part of Christian life in Israel. The Editors Patriarch with CRIHL visits the US We do not want to replace politicians but to back them. With this sentence His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, summarized the mission of CRIHL s Washington DC visit February 26 to 29. We want to find a just solution (to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Ed) for the sake of believers and all the inhabitants of the Holy Land, he adds. Since its inception in 2005, the CRIHL is concerned with many issues to promote peace: to ensure the safety and free access to the Holy Places or the issue of Jerusalem as a Holy City for the three religions were part of the discussions.during these three days, the delegation met Vice President of the United States Joe Biden Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Deputy William Burns; Deputy National The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land (CRIHL) including Patriarch Fouad Twal, visited in Washington DC from February 26 to 29, Security Adviser Dennis McDonough, and members of Congress. The Council was able to express the voice of those who want more peace and justice, urging them to make concrete steps in that direction. We must have the courage to tell the truth, said Patriarch Twal. CRIHL officials also called on the U.S. administration to seek the advice and utilize the competence of religious leaders when faced with issues where both political and religious concerns are involved. The CRIHL representatives also met with Jewish, Christian and Muslims religious leaders and other organizations, like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). This representative body of some American Jews in politics was very aware of the message of the dignitaries of the Holy Land including Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger. The geographical distance allows them to gain perspective of the conflict and to have certain objectivity states the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Finally, Patriarch Twal called for forgiveness between the parties, adding that our presence here together (religious leaders of the three monotheistic religions, Ed) carries in itself a message: We can achieve peace and justice among peoples. Peace in the Holy Land is a necessity and possibility concludes a statement from CRIHL. Daniel Le with agencies Jewish school shooting H.B Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, conveys his condolences to the families and to the friends of the victims in the shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse, France. Indian delegation in the Holy Land A delegation of Indian bishops and priests visited the Holy Land from February 26 th to March 1 st. It was a blessed occasion to measure the importance of pilgrimage and Christian everyday life in the Holy Land, in contact with the local church. Interreligious Peace through pilgrimage From March 3 to 9, 2012, a group composed of Muslims, Jews, and Christians called Believers Unified for Peace from Beauvais, a city in the north of France, visited the Holy Land to rediscover the roots of their faith. Maronite Patriarch visits Jordan s Christian sites Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al Rahi arrived on Thursday, March 8 for a three-day visit to Jordan to tour Christian sites and check on the Maronite community, according to Maronite church leaders. Condolences on death of Shenouda III His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, all bishops, priests and faithful of the Latin Patriarchate send their most heartfelt condolences to the Coptic Church of Alexandria on the news of the death of their head, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. Ecumenical meeting between with the Patriarch of Georgia During his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Catholicos The Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, His Holiness Elia II of Tbilisi (Elias II), met with His Excellency, Bishop Shomali, representing, for the occasion, Latin Catholics of the Holy Land. Bishop Shomali recalled that the Catholic Church always awaits a sing on the part of the Orthodox in view of the unification of the date of Easter.

6 P A G E 6 Projects of the Latin Patriarchate Jordan: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, flourishing parish and school N E W S L E T T E R J E RU S A L E M The parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Jordan, was founded in It is located east of Amman in Hashimi and has 400 families. Their number is increasing, according to Father Adnan Bader, its pastor since What is the main attribute of the parish?, Prayer replied Father Adnan Bader, without hesitation. People here are poor but the whole parish prays a lot. It relies especially on the Virgin Mary. The region, like the parishioners, is actually relatively poor, with a high unemployment rate. But the faithful, who come mainly from Kerak in the north of the country, are attached to their church, finding there a true spiritual support. Our parishioners are more and more numerous, says the priest. They meet here around prayer, the rosary, groups like the YCS (editor s note: Young Christian Students), and also lessons. The parish provides financial assistance to the faithful when needed, to finance their education, housing... in a word to live, says Father Adnan. If they are sick, we give them medicines, because we re connected with Caritas. The pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is familiar with each of the parishioners: He takes care of the elderly, to whom he gives communion at home; also he follows the younger thanks to the school founded over 65 years and whose reputation is well proven. The Patriarchal School A few years after the creation of the parish, Father Boutros Sulieman, pastor, founded the Patriarchal school in It grew rapidly while the number of Christian children increased. Almost thirty years later, in 1986, a new school was built, meeting families needs in the region. It was funded through the generous support of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Restored by the Latin Patriarchate two years ago, it now hosts 600 students from kindergarten to high school. Of these students, half are Christians and the others Muslims, Our school probably explains the good relationship we have with our Muslim neighbors, says Father Adnan Bader. Many actions also show daily everyone s respect to the religion of the other. As an example, explains Father Adnan, yesterday, a Professor of the University where I am a student, called me

7 l o v e t h e H O L Y l a n d a n d b e l o v e d P A G E 7 to tell me he had decided to move the next exam date that falls on the Holy Saturday because he wanted to respect our Holy Week. He is a Muslim. It is a grace says the pastor, to share together this search for truth in mutual respect. The future? Father Adnan Bader is very confident for the future of the parish. Human is more and more in research, he says, probably because of all the changes that currently happen in our country. The Church s mission seems to be clearer and clearer, perhaps thanks to the Internet. Our parish and our religion attract. For any situation, regardless of religion or nationality, the Church always brings a message of Peace and Joy. For all, at all times, it is its mission, and Easter is a more conducive time than ever to proclaim this message. A beautiful message will also be announced shortly, a few miles from Our Lady of Mount Carmel: the Parish is about to conclude this week the purchase of a land, 7 km from here, where a new church will be built. Father Adnan s confidence for the future is very concrete. Amélie de La Hougue For further information visit : Homily of the Mass of the Annunciation at the Oasis, Tiberias (26 March 2012) Patriarch s Homily - Annunciation in Nazareth (25 March 2012) Holy Places question on Al Jazeera (15 March 2012) Promotion of the Heritage of Palestine (14 March 2012) Diocesan bulletin (October-December 2011) Jerusalem welcomes Bishop Lahham: Interview (12 March 2012 Letter to the Catholic hierarchy on the occasion of the Collection for the Holy Land, 2012 Christians in the Middle East and the Arab Springs : Fr. Rif at Bader replies to French Minister Alain Juppé (6 March 2012) Conference of H.B. Michel Sabbah: Challenges of Christian presence in Israel today. on Thursday, March 1 st in Nazareth.

8 אספת ההגמונים הקתוליים של ארץ הקודש مجلس رؤساء الكنائس الكاثوليكية في األرض املقدسة THE ASSEMBLY OF CATHOLIC ORDINARIES OF THE HOLY LAND Latins, Melkites, Maronites, Syrians, Armenians, Chaldeans, Custody of the Holy Land Ordinaries of the Holy Land concerned about human trafficking and hostages in Sinai The Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land expresses its deep concern about the horrific situation of African asylum seekers who are being held hostage in the Sinai and calls for an immediate end to human trafficking. On December 5, 2010, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI already drew the attention of the international community to the victims of traffickers and criminals, such as the drama of the hostages, Eritreans and of other nationalities, in the Sinai desert. Since that time the situation of these victims has only worsened. We, the heads of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, urge the civil authorities in Egypt and in Israel as well as the international community to intensify their efforts to fight the ongoing trafficking in human beings in Sinai, their abuse, humiliation, torture, rape and murder. Those fleeing their countries of origin because of war and violence must be protected from criminal St. Catherine Monastery in Sinai abuse at the hands of those who seek to take advantage of them. We are particularly horrified to learn of the appalling fate of the women and children. We remind the civil authorities in Egypt and in Israel of their obligations to respect international human rights law provisions and standards regarding the treatment, the protection of dignity and physical and psychological integrity, and the right to due process and fair trial of asylum seekers and migrants. We congratulate those activists in Egyptian and Israeli human rights organizations who provide help to the victims of human traffickers and assure them of our moral support and prayers. In communion with the organizations seeking to draw attention to the plight of these people and to help them, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land: - calls for greater awareness regarding the plight of those being imprisoned, held for ransom, tortured and abused in Sinai; - calls on the civil authorities in Egypt and Israel to act decisively against the traffickers, closing their bases of activities, prosecuting the criminal elements involved in these crimes on both sides of the Egyptian-Israeli border, assisting their victims and providing refuge for them as well as protecting these populations from the traffickers; - calls for support of those organizations and individuals engaged in advocacy, assistance to and counseling of the victims. Furthermore, the Catholic Ordinaries commit themselves to the spiritual care of the Catholics among the asylum seekers and ask the Israeli authorities to permit chaplains and their assistants access to those asylum seekers imprisoned in confinement facilities in Israel in order to offer them the spiritual solace they might seek from the Church. «For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.» (Matthew 25:35-36) Jerusalem, March 20, 2012 Subscribe To subscribe free, write to: medialpj@latinpat.org Visit our website: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem P.O.B Jerusalem Tel: Fax: Media office : meo@latinpat.org