n e w s l e t t e r JERUSALEM Number 26 October 2013 l o v e t h e H o ly l a n d a n d b e l o v e d Editorial Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem www.lpj.org P.O.B. 14152 Jerusalem 91141 Tel : +972 2 628 23 23 Fax : +972 2 627 16 52 Media office: meo@lpj.org Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on LATIN PATRIARCHATE PRINTING PRESS BEIT JALA 2013 «Where is your brother?» What stops armed conflicts, the flow of blood that stains the ground, and silences weapons! Let us listen to the cry of all those who are weeping, who are suffering and who are dying because of violence, terrorism or war, in the Holy Land, so dear to Saint Francis, in Syria, throughout the Middle East and everywhere in the world, pleaded Pope Francis during the Mass he celebrated in Assisi on October 4. Many responded to a call for prayer vigil for Syria, held worldwide on September 7, including a prayer gathering in the Basilica of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. In his homily in Assisi, Pope Francis invoked the intercession of the Poverello permeating the Church of the Franciscan spirit: We turn to you, Francis, and we ask you, obtain for us God s gift of harmony and peace in this our world! The strength of prayer has already shown its power. The Latin Patriarch commented that after only a day of prayers, the vision and perspective of the world changed, then we must believe in our strength as Christians ( ) before that day, the choice was focused on war, he said. After the vigil, the preference became a diplomatic solution, and everything changed. In fact, the Russian-American agreement, which provided for chemical disarmament of Syria by mid- 2014 isolated the threat of U.S. strikes against the Syrian regime, after the August 21 chemical attack that left hundreds dead, which the West and the opposition attributed to have been perpetrated by the Syrian forces. The echo from Lampedusa The Middle East Christian population, already a minority, is progressively diminishing in number for several reasons: low birth rate, a division in several churches and especially Islamic fundamentalism. While the Ottoman Empire was relatively tolerant of minorities, the rise of fundamentalism has encouraged the stigmatization of Eastern Christians, perceived as accomplices of the West. From Lebanon to Egypt through Iraq and Syria, the fate of Christians in the region remains at the mercy of coups and revolutions. This is why Pope Francis, in the footsteps of the Saint of Assisi continues to pray for peace: Where there is hatred, I bring love. If the Holy Father has asked us to fast for peace, it is to accompany our prayer in a reflection on ourselves. We must continue to reflect on the meaning of fasting and prayer, as a direct participation in the pain of others. Behind the present veil of darkness covering the Middle East, there is a glimmer of light. It could be that the Pope will visit Jordan and certainly continue his pilgrimage to Jerusalem in March-April 2014. Going to Jordan today means walking into a bedlam in the Arab world, says Bishop Maroun Lahham, Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan, who even expressed an assumption that the Pope may visit the Zaatari Syrian refugee camp. A cumbersome echo continues to be heard from the Pope s July visit to Lampedusa, the gate to Europe for thousands of immigrants. Pope Francis speaks frequently with deep emotion against the globalization of indifference, asking the fundamental question: Where is your brother? Christophe Lafontaine
P A G E 2 New Palestinian Ambassador to the Holy See On August 26, 2013, Issa Kassissiyeh was sworn by President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, following his appointment as Ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See. Towards the Palestine/ Holy See Accord The Bilateral Commission of the Holy See and the State of Palestine met on Thursday, September 26, 2013 to assess the work carried out for the Comprehensive Agreement on an informal level by the joint technical group following the previous meeting on January 30 in Ramallah. Having expressed their satisfaction, the parties have encouraged the joint group to conclude negotiations on the parts of projects not yet completed. The next plenary meeting of the Commission is scheduled for early 2014. Graffiti on wall of Jerusalem Latin Parish Cemetery On October 1, Fr. Feras Hejazin, ofm, pastor of the Latin parish and Fr. Haitham Yalda, ofm, parochial vicar, went to the Latin parish cemetery on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, after the custodian of the place briefed them on on acts of vandalism at at the cemetery. Pope Francis receives message from Beit Jala Christians During an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Father Ibrahim Shomali, pastor of the Latin parish in Beit Jala, delivered a message from the people of the city to the Holy Father relating to the current suffering of the families in the Christian city of Beit Jala. Pope may visit Jordan in March or April In its September 30, 2013 issue, the Italian news agency SIR announced that the Bishop in Amman holds great hope of the Pope s visit to Jordan. Archbishop Maroun Laham, Latin Patriarchal Vicar, has confirmed the story. N E W S L E T T E R J E R U S A L E M Diocese: Holy Land News Important visit of Christian leaders to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem It was an expression of solidarity with Muslims, following recent untoward incidents on the Temple Mount. On September 12, 2013, the Israeli Minister of Housing, escorted by tens of extremist settlers, and under Israeli police protection, entered the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, home of the Al Aqsa Mosque, a holy place for Muslims. For many years, access to the Mount has been a source of tension between Palestinians and Israelis, between Muslims and Jews. Lately this has been the venue of weekly violence. This continuing intrusion is causing a division between the two peoples and is jeopardizing the peace process. The Church leaders of Jerusalem visited the Muslim community, which according to one of the Muftis was a historical visit. Among the Church leaders were: Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem; Anglican Bishop Suheil Dawani; and the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem Joseph Kelekian. Together they expressed a desire that coexistence between Christians and Muslims prevail, as it is presently and has been for many years. The meeting was unique yet essential, and is a step closer to what everyone aspires peace in the Middle East, but first in Jerusalem. Pierre Loup de Raucourt Gaza Christian schools, back to normal Five Christian schools (including three Catholic schools) would have closed their doors for the academic year if the Hamas government followed a law banning mixed schools in the Gaza Strip. For the time being, the school year started without a problem. In April, Hamas (in power in Gaza since 2007) intended to implement legislation codifying the separation of sexes in schools and prohibiting a man to teach girls, and a woman to teach boys older than 9 years, according to Islamic law. However, only the Christian schools (as well as those held by the UN) have mixed classes, with a student population 3,500. This is good news for Father Faysal Hijazeen, director of the Latin Patriarchate schools in Israel and Palestine, who confirms that back to school went well. He added that all the students and teachers of the Christian Schools in Gaza have gone back to classes without changing any of the practices and routines of the previous years. Fr. Hijazeen hopes that the situation will remain as it is. In October Father Hijazen, Father Humam Khzouz, General Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, will meet with the Minister of Education in Gaza. To date, the Ministry of Education requested increasing the number of students and teachers, male and female. Last April, Father Faysal said that it will be a big problem to comply with the decision of Hamas to ban mixed schools in Gaza. We do not have the space and we do not have the money to divide our schools. In addition to finding additional spaces, schools should in this case hire and pay more teachers and staff. Christophe Lafontaine
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 Relics of Saint John Bosco solemnly received in Jerusalem The relics of St. John Bosco, the great saint of northern Italy, arrived on September 10, 2013 at Ben Gurion Airport and greeted by Bishop Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo, ; Father Pier Giorgio Dianazza, sdb ; Mr. Cesare Marjieh, Director of Christian Communities with the Israeli Interior Ministry; and a delegation of members of the communities of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, two communities founded by the Saint-educator. He had never been to the Holy Land during his lifetime. The glass reliquary containing the relics of the saint then arrived at the Ratisbonne house of the Salesians in Jerusalem before being brought to Jaffa Gate in the early evening, under the watchful eyes of many happy people gathered to welcome the Saint to the sound of drums and bagpipes of the scouts, in the presence of Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate; Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah; Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem; Bishop Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar in Israel; and representatives and leaders of other Christian Churches in Jerusalem. Quickly, the procession was led by the Kawwas reaching the Patriarchate where, for the occasion, the court was decorated with Vatican flags. Once the reliquary entered into the Cathedral courtyard, a concert of tolled bells, and the procession filed to the altar. In a crowded co-cathedral. Evening Prayer was chanted presided by Bishop Shomali. In a short homily, he recalled some elements of Don Bosco s life, with particular emphasis on all that the Italian saint did for young people through education and is now witnessed by the Salesian community here and worldwide. This is the third time that the Patriarchate has welcomed the relics of a saint, after Mar Saba in March 1965 and St. Therese of the Child Jesus in 2011.. Pierre Loup de Raucourt Prayer vigil for Peace at Gethsemane The Pope urged all Catholics, and extended his invitation to all Christian denominations including non- believers, to a worldwide Day of Prayer and Fasting on September 7, for peace in Syria. In the Holy Land, many faithful responded to Pope Francis plea against Western military intervention in Syria, and gathered together for prayer vigils in their parishes. In Jerusalem, the Latin Parish held a prayer vigil in Gethsemane. Gethsemane, the voice still cries today! Fasting, praying, keeping watch; it is Jesus himself who asks this in the Gospel. It is a scene from the Passion of Christ. Inside the Basilica of the Agony, the faithful of the Latin parish of Jerusalem were joined by pilgrims and religious communities in responding to the call of Pope Francis: pray for peace in Syria and the Middle East. The Middle East region has suffered and continues to suffer the pains of war and violence. The vigil in Gethsemane was a plea, a profound offering to the Lord of the cries and suffering of the people of Syria and the neighboring countries. The prayers and hymns were in Arabic, Aramaic, Coptic, Hebrew, English, German and French, accompanied by flute and organ music. The Basilica of the Agony - which also bears the title Basilica of All Nations because the coat of arms of the different countries that contributed to its construction - was true to its name on Saturday night in Jerusalem. After the repeated sounding of the gong amid solemn silence, the Latin Patriarch, Fouad Twal, entered the Holy Place, with the Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, and heads of the various Churches of the Holy Land (Syriac Orthodox, Coptic, Lutheran, etc). After the prayer, a candlelight procession followed in the Garden of Gethsemane in the silence of the olive trees. The Our Father was recited, entrusting the entire Middle East region in prayer to the Father. Throughout the diocese, parish priests, parishioners, heads of religious institutions and superiors of religious congregations held a time of prayer as recommended by the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. Christophe Lafontaine Jordanian professes religious vows at Carmel of Haifa On September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Graciella Dagher professed her simple religious vows at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Haifa, and received the name Sr. Maria Graciella of the Incarnate Word. Indian community celebrates the birth of the Queen of Peace On September 7, the Indianspeaking community in Israel celebrated the feast of its patroness, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jaffa with Mass and procession. Mass celebrated by Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem, was an opportunity to give thanks to God for the harvest this year. Sisters of Maria Bambina feast day celebration in Nazareth The Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa, commonly known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina, celebrated their patron Saints Feast Day on Sunday, September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, in the Holy Family Hospital chapel in Nazareth. The Sisters also celebrated Sr. Mary Glory Keerampilly s 25 years of religious profession in the religious institute Church in Galilee commits to Education and Health The Church is traditionally committed to what is beneficial for mankind through its specific mission on both spiritual and pastoral levels, and, moreover, on two parallel levels, namely social services and healthcare. In the latter context, the Church in Galilee had opportunities for cooperation in the field of healthcare and in fighting against the onslaught of violence within family and school.
P A G E 4 Pastoral and Liturgical Life Canção Nova community arrives in Nazareth The Canção Nova Community (CNC) has been in the Holy Land (in Bethlehem and Jerusalem) for the past five years. This year, a new community has been added in Nazareth. Fr. Sostenes do Monte, priest of the diocese of Lorena (Brazil) and member of the CCN, Daniele de Oliveira, a young lady involved with CCN, and José da Silvas, a young man who is getting ready to join the CCN, are now in the new center in a recently renovated old Maronite rectory in Al Nabe. They are slowly learning Arabic and have started to work with the local Christian community. Canção Nova was founded in Brazil in 1978 by a Salesian priest from Lorena, Fr. Jonas Abib (a Brazilian whose family with Lebanese origins) during the time of charismatic communities movement in the 1970s. Canonically, CCN is a private association of faithful, recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in 2008. Its primary charism is evangelization by means of social communication, especially radio, Internet, TV and other audio-visual media, for and with young people. It has a membership of 1,200 in 30 communities around the world (including Israel and Palestine), the majority are in Brazil. In the Holy N E W S L E T T E R J E R U S A L E M Land, five members comprise the community in Bethlehem, directed by Fr. Antonio Batista Xavier. Its members offer their services to the Franciscan Media Center (FMC) in Jerusalem, and run a center for social communications and journalism at Jaffa Gate in the Old City. Three new members have just arrived in Nazareth. On September 6, they met the Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, who represented the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, and presented him with a copy of a letter from the Bishop of Lorina. Benedito Beni dos Santos of Lorena. Bishop Marcuzzo listened carefully and warmly welcomed them to the Vicariate in Nazareth. Our correspondent in Nazareth. Photo by S.A. Thanksgiving Mass for completion of Beit Safafa housing units The new Beit Safafa housing project is now completed and units occupied. A thanksgiving Mass was celebrated in gratitude to the Lord for this significant accomplishment, and for the support of many benefactors. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem was the main celebrant on Saturday, September 21 at Tantur Institute for Theological Studies. Bishop Shomali underlined the importance of simply saying thank you to the One who granted that such projects are carried out, one of which is the housing project in Beit Safafa, located 1 km from Tantur. The construction was not easy nor expeditious. Lengthy and, at times, intense negotiations were necessary in order to obtain the building permits. Advocated by the Latin Patriarchate, these units are meant to house young families looking for stable living quarters. The venture proved to be successful, and, in thanksgiving for the completion of this project and the installation of 72 families. The Mass was concelebrated by the parish priest of Jerusalem, Fr. Feras Hijazin, OFM, attended by families and children who now live in the completed housing project. The evening was described by Father Feras as historical and a time of getting together for the members of this new community called to live as fraternal neighbors, to pray and to witness the Faith. During Mass, a special prayer was offered for the benefactors, especially the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and Catholic institutions. Also remembered was the generous donation from the Italian International Cooperation, contacted personally by His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who has steadily supported the project since it started. A more festive inauguration is scheduled for next Spring, after the completion of the main road that will connect the project to the city. Pierre Loup de Raucourt Cistercian monk celebrates 50 years of solemn profession in Latrun Fr. Louis Wahbeh, a Cistercian monk of Latrun Abbey, celebrated the golden jubilee of his monastic profession on September 8, 2013. Two symbolic and quality cultural evenings in Galilee They confiscated our land, but they cannot confiscate our spirit. This is a repeated adage among the Palestinians of 48, attempting to comfort themselves. Proof of this is the intense cultural activity that has developed these days in Galilee. A book and a new movie just released, the first with paradox and the second with documentation, help people to better understand the reality that Palestinians live in Palestine and Israel and to respond appropriately. Benedictine ordained priest at Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion On Sunday, September 15, 2013, Brother Nikodemus, a monk of the Benedictine Dormition Abbey, was ordained a priest for the community by Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem. Cardinal McCarrick visits Cyprus The new Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Cyprus, Rev. Fr. Jerzy Kraj, OFM reported the recent visit to Cyprus of His Eminence Theodore E. Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington D.C., and Counselor of CSIS (Caritas Sisterno Informativo Sociale), between the 15 and 17, September, 2013.
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 Back to the UN - Bishop Shomali s analysis The 68th UN General Assembly opened in New York on Tuesday September 24 against the background of a tense international context. The major crisis concerns Syria but attention also focuses on the Iranian nuclear issue and the peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem presents an analysis. 1. Iran s president stressed that his country was not a threat, to the world or the Middle East. These conciliation attempts raise a cautious hope among Western diplomats, but have not swayed the Israeli authorities. This action reflects exactly the Iranian strategy to talk and buy time to advance its capability to develop nuclear weapons, said Netanyahu. Do you think that diplomacy will ever be given a chance? Hassan Rouhani is a skillful politician and wants to gain time to continue Iran s nuclear program. Certainly, Westerners have reason to doubt. We should not get ourselves caught and confined in this vicious circle of lies. It is necessary to solve the Iranian problem in a radical way. We should first rid the Middle East of all nuclear programs. A bomb, whether Indian, Pakistani, Iranian or Israeli is a destructive atomic bomb. Efforts should be made to prevent nuclear programs and the manufacture of chemical weapons. We must resolve all other political issues that lead to the use of such weapons. 2. Would the return of Iran within the assembly of nations help to stop or end the Syrian tragedy? The term stop is pretentious. Iran is certainly a key element of the conflict, but it is only one element in the same way as Russia or Hezbollah provide assistance to Syria. The right solution should primarily come from within Syria, from Syrians themselves, backed by international pressure. For this, a course of action in several phases should be followed: establish an immediate cease-fire; prevent any entry of weapons into Syria; prepare the way for free, fair and transparent elections; accept the result of the elections. In this view, Iran has a role to play and as a friend of Syria, could wield a positive influence in imposing a cease-fire. 3. What is your view of the delay of the Western military intervention in Syria? I understand that there may have been some hesitation on the part of the United States and Europe for several reasons. First, for ethical reasons: the perpetrators of the chemical attacks have not been identified. So an attack cannot be launched without any proof of guilt. And if the perpetrators were the rebels, would the West still decide to attack? Then there is a reason of fear of an escalation of violence and a regional conflagration. Finally, the third reason concerns the Russian and Chinese veto votes and restraint of the British Parliament, which held back Obama. Speaking on a more spiritual level, the participation of millions of faithful from all over the world in the day of prayer and fasting called by Pope Francis on Saturday, September 7, had an impact on politicians. God works in hidden and unexpected ways.
P A G E 6 N E W S L E T T E R J E R U S A L E M 4. Obama and Hollande want to obtain a resolution from the Russians, implying a clear threat that validates the use of force in Syria if Assad does not fulfill his promises to eliminate chemical weapons. Do you think they are right? If we look at the facts from the point of view of Hollande and Obama, we arrive at the conclusion that force must be used against Assad. But this view assumes that Assad is a dictator or the cause of all evils in Syria and should therefore be removed at all costs. The history of chemical weapons is actually a good excuse to launch an attack on Syria to remove Assad. At the same time, would this be the means to weaken Iran and Hezbollah, the bitter enemies of the United States? On the other hand, Hollande and Obama would not acknowledge that their approach to the Syrian issue is not objective. It is true that Assad is a dictator but he remains moderate compared to other dictators in the Middle East. We often hear of the need for democracy in the Middle East, but it is a mistake to believe that it can happen in a few months. Democracy in Syria needs a long introduction and initiation. It will not be a result of a civil war or an external military intervention or even the victory of the Syrian rebels, many of whom are Salafists or Jihadists affiliated to Al Qaedah. The Iraqi experience is proof. The Western powers thought that change and transformation can take effect within five weeks of a military operation. Years later, this poor country suffers from an alarming instability every day, at the cost of the lives of many innocent people. I want to use the Iraqi lesson as a guideline for all politicians. 5. Barack Obama said he did not speak of illusions about the difficulty of achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians. What do you actually expect from the ongoing talks? The only path to a solution is a political dialogue. A dialogue, that is honest, transparent, creative and based on internationally accepted platform. So far, bilateral negotiations have failed. Starting with the premise that the same causes produce the same effects, it can be concluded that if there is a lack of flexibility, negotiations will fail, and there will be escalation of violence I would like to quote an American diplomat who, in private session said: When two enemies are fighting for over 80 years and they are unable to overcome their problems, the only thing to do is to impose a solution. 6. The U.S. president estimated that the international community had not been up against the Syrian tragedy Is the West today a powerless spectator of the Middle East in general? Yes, he is right. The world has been a spectator and I dare say even guilty. If a country has the power to act in favor of peace and does not, it commits the sin of omission. There has also been accomplices (see the example of weapons in Syria) that have made the conflict longer, and without victory for one side or the other. The only solution is to declare, as I said, a cease-fire followed by negotiations between the two parties under international supervision. Not taking this path would mean knowingly prolonging the conflict and with full responsibility. 7. There have been attempts by extremists seeking to provoke a sectarian conflict in the Middle East (attacks in Iraq, Egypt, Syria ). What is your analysis? Do you feel that the situation could worsen and religious radicalization will intensify at the expense of Christians? It is true that there is a radicalization in the Middle East because of religious ideologies based on intolerance, and Christians suffer. Christians should not appear to be victims of persecution and expect from heaven a readymade solution. They should not remain neutral and shut themselves in a ghetto. They should instead, engage in the political life of their countries, suffer and struggle with other citizens, and make smart alliances with moderate Muslims. The Copts in Egypt understood this need to engage in public life, particularly during the last coup. They are also active in the drafting of the new constitution.
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 Projects of the Latin Patriarchate Patriarchate Printing Press continues to update During the recent pilgrimage to Jerusalem of the Germany Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, its members paid a visit to the Latin Patriarchate Printing Press in Beit Jala. The Press would have not been possible without the generous help of the German Knights. Founded in 1923, nearly a hundred years ago, the Latin Patriarchate Printing press has developed and transformed itself to meet the rising demand for the quantity and quality of written materials issued by the Patriarchate. But over the years, with the increased demand for printed publications, equipment, machines and buildings had to change. It was in June 2000 that the Latin Patriarchate printing facility moved to a new location in Beit Jala, overlooking Bethlehem and just below the slope from the Seminary. This needed development was made possible with the cooperation and great generosity of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of the Germany Lieutenancy. In 1991, they contributed towards the purchase of printing machines. In 2000, their donations financed the sizeable buildings of the present Printing Press, located in Beit Jala. In turn, this gave Mounir Hodaly, managing director, and his staff adequate space to work in the most efficient manner. Although the demand for printing has slowed down, the team acquired two new machines in June 2013. Equipped with a minimum of five different colors, the new machines make it possible to print higher quality documents. The Printing Press produces invitations, official documents of the Patriarchate, Diocesan bulletins and monthly newsletters, which are circulated amongst the highest number of readers, enabling easy access to information about the Diocese and the Patriarchate. According to Mounir Hodaly, these are not simply tools for better performance, rather they are the best machines! With the help of the Knights of Holy Sepulchre, everything was accomplished, so that life of Christians in the Holy Land be better known the world over. Because it facilitates the spread of information, the smooth operating of the printing press is a basic necessity. Pierre Loup de Raucourt To read more, please visit www.lpj.org : Bishop Lahham: Pope may visit Jordan between March and April 2014 (30 September 2013) Interview with the Patriarch: Christians against the current (25 September 2013) Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions Final Communiqué (CELRA) (20 September 2013) Yad Vashem revises judgment on Pius XII, the Church and the Jews(23 September 2013) Don Bosco s relics in Nazareth (23 September 2013) Pope s Address to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem (16 September 2013) The Arab East, devoid of Christians, is not the East H.B. Fouad Twal (10 September 2013)
Order of the Holy Sepulcher Unprecedented Pilgrimage of German Lieutenancy During a press conference at the Latin Patriarchate on Friday, September 27, 2013, His Beatitude Fouad Twal and His Excellency Dr. Heinrich Dickmann explained the connection of the German Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre to the Latin Patriarchate, particularly through social and educational projects. This conference began an historic weekend for the Lieutenancy of Germany in the Holy Land that saw a group of 400 pilgrims including 250 Knights and Ladies of the Order and 25 new members were invested in the Order. On Saturday, September 28, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem invested 25 new members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher (8 women, 12 men and 5 priests). Addressing journalists and, more particularly, H.E. Dr. Dickmann, the German Lieutenant, Patriarch Fouad Twal recalled, as a result of the Consulta of the Order held in Rome last week, that the objectives of the Order are as follows: the sanctification of its members, a greater involvement of its members in the pastoral life of their local Churches and greater interest and concern for the Latin Patriarchate and its needs. When the Knights and Dames make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (a moral obligation of the Order) they receive the pilgrim s shell, granted by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. 92 German members received their shell. To date, it is the largest number of shells presented to a group, at one time. The German Lieutenancy, which has existed for 80 years and is known for its generosity, has 1,400 members (17% are women, 12% priests). Lieutenant Heinrich Dickmann expressed his satisfaction to see that the average age of 49 years is decreasing. It is a proof of the dynamism and importance of the younger members who bring a breath of fresh air and energetic new perspectives. Commitment to the Holy Land Patriarch Twal recognized the German Lieutenancy for its contribution to all the needs of the Patriarchate, particularly those of the Seminary in Beit Jala, and also to everything related to medical, social, humanitarian (especially in Gaza) and school needs (scholarships, renovation of primary schools). It also supports pastoral work carried out in the diocese: summer camps, scouts, catechetics. He further noted the participation of the Lieutenancy in the restoration of the Church in Madaba (Jordan), the construction of a new wing of the school in Rameh, support of the University of Bethlehem, the Church and Youth Center in Rafidia, the Bir Zeit school and its playground. Also noted are the twinning agreements of parishes in Germany with six local parishes: Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, Aboud, Bir Zeit and Zababdeh. Christophe Lafontaine Subscribe To subscribe free, write to: meo@lpj.org Visit our website: www.lpj.org Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem P.O.B. 14152 Jerusalem 91141 Tel: + 972 2 628 23 23 Fax: + 972 2 627 16 52 Media office : meo@lpj.org