Category: Holy Land
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem encourages new narrative for Holy City
His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke to the Bishops and delegates of the Holy Land Coordination about the Holy City of Jerusalem describing it as “an unparalleled reality” that is part of the heritage of the whole world. Patriarch Pizzaballa defended the right of the Christian community to express its vision…
We pray as people of peace for an end to the violence engulfing the Holy Land
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Bishops’ International Affairs department, has echoed 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.” Statement As people of peace, we pray for an end to…
Statement of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem concerning the recent violence in Jerusalem
We the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem, are profoundly disheartened and concerned about the recent violent events in East Jerusalem. These concerning developments, whether at the Al Aqsa Mosque or in Sheikh Jarrah, violate the sanctity of the people of Jerusalem and of Jerusalem as the City of Peace. The actions undermining the…
Latin Patriarchate reacts to recent violence in Jerusalem
With all the Heads of Churches, we are “profoundly disheartened and concerned about the recent violent events in East Jerusalem, whether at the Al Aqsa Mosque or in Sheikh Jarrah, which violate the sanctity of the people of Jerusalem and of Jerusalem as the City of Peace and require of an urgent intervention.” The violence…
Don’t forget Holy Land and Middle East Christians over Easter, says Bishop
Ahead of Holy Week, Bishop Declan Lang, chair of the Bishops’ International Affairs department, has issued a reminder that the Christians living in the lands of Christ should be held in prayer. Starved of pilgrim visitors to the Holy sites, and facing the daily realities of conflict and occupation, the Christians, as Pope Francis puts…
Calvary, Covid and Crisis – New Prayer Resource brings the reality of Easter in the Holy Land to life
The physical reality of Easter is captured in a new book which brings together voices from the first Holy Week with those from across the Holy Land in today’s Covid-hit world. With forewords by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Justin Welby Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land juxtaposes immersive poetry from a priest who…
Listening to the Christians of the Holy Land
Having taken part in this year’s virtual ‘Holy Land Co-ordination’ pilgrimage, Bishop William Nolan, the Catholic Bishop of Galloway in Scotland, reflects that he is “sad but hopeful” after five days of remote meetings. A regular on the annual pilgrimage of Bishops to the Holy Land, a group that represents the Church in standing with…
Supporting the Church of the Holy Land
This excellent reflection from Bishop Nicholas Hudson, looking back on this year’s Holy Land Co-ordination, gives his thoughts on the virtual pilgrimage of bishops from around the world to the lands of Christ. The Holy Land Co-ordination is an annual pilgrimage to support the Christians and people of the region but this year was a…
Holy Land Christians offer the model of a ‘Servant Church’
On today’s ‘Catholic News’ podcast we’re joined by the long-term chair of what’s called the Holy Land Co-ordination – a prayerful annual pilgrimage of bishops from around the world to the land of Christ’s life and ministry. Bishop Declan Lang, Catholic Bishop of Clifton, like his fellow delegates, had to engage in this year’s pilgrimage…
First ever virtual Holy Land Co-ordination
16 – 21 January 2021 Bishops from across Europe, North America and South Africa will meet remotely this year to reflect on and discuss the realities of life for the Christians and peoples of the Holy Land. In 2000, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales was asked by the Vatican to organise an…
How to support the Christians of the Holy Land during the COVID-19 pandemic
In many ways, the Christians of the Holy Land rely on pilgrimages for their survival. In 2019 over 4.5 million pilgrims flocked to the holy sites to experience the places of Christ’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection. The pounds and dollars pumped into the local economy, with tourists buying goods such as olive wood carvings…
Bishop: COVID-19 “Impending humanitarian catastrophe” in Holy Land
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Holy Land Coordination has urged Catholics to support people in the Holy Land affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: “As we approach Easter amid this global pandemic, we must not forget the impact on our sisters and brothers in the land of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection. “Not only is this a major…
