n e w s l e t t e r l o v e t h e H oly land and be loved Number 30 February 2014 Editorial

Latin Patriarchate Cremisan: “The answer suggested. Until the State responds all work of Jerusalem of the court is a good sign” has to be stopped. The court asked the Ministry of Defense and the Commander COMMUNIQUE – Here follows a of the West Bank to cancel the seizure www.lpj.org press release from the Society of St. Yves orders issued in Cremisan. “The case is after the decision of the Supreme Court not over, until a final ruling is given. The of to further postpone the validation court’s decision is an indication that it is not of the construction of the separation wall inclined to adopt the State’s position. We P.O.B. 14152 in the Cremisan valley. The Court asked definitely have new hope – the answer of Jerusalem 9114101 the State of Israel to develop its argument. the court is a good sign” explains Advocate This brings new hope and optimism for Zvi Avni, lawyer of St. Yves representing the families affected in Beit Jala and the the Salesian Convent and School. The certainty that they will not be dislodged in Supreme Court set a new hearing for July Tel : +972 2 628 23 23 the next six months. 30, 2014 to discuss the requested answer Fax : +972 2 627 16 52 of the State and the responses to it of the people of Cremisan. Supreme Court issues The valley of Cremisan will be cut Media office: a preliminary order: off from the community as soon as the [email protected] “Why were no alternative separation wall will be constructed as paths for the fence in the area planned by the Israeli authorities. 58 mainly Christian families and a Salesian convent considered?” will lose their lands; the convent, which Latin Patriarchate Yesterday, the Supreme Court of is running a school, will be situated in a of Jerusalem on Israel asked the State Attorney to justify military area and will be separated from until 10/4/2014 why not to alter the route in their neighboring monastery. Cremisan and why they insist to construct About a year ago, on April 24, the on the suggest route. Further the court Israeli Special Appeals Committee for land asks for a statement why it shouldn’t cancel seizure under emergency law had released the decision of last year which was given its verdict in favor of the State for a route by Special Appeals Committee in Tel which cuts off the valley from Beit Jala and Aviv. This would mean that the wall could separates the Salesian Convent from the be constructed also for example on the Salesian Monastery. In a Supreme Court route the Council of Peace and Security hearing on Wednesday, January 29, the Council of Peace and Security, an association of high ranking Israeli security personnel, had stated in an expert opinion that an alternative route below the illegal settlement of Gilo would cause much less harm for the community. At the same time it would serve Israeli security needs LATIN PATRIARCHATE PRINTING PRESS in a better way. BEIT JALA – 2014 Society of St. Yves P A G E 2 n e w s l e t t e r — JERUSALEM Diocese: Holy Land News Christmas Greetings of His Beatitude to the Orthodox Patriarch

JERUSALEM – His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, went Thursday, January 9, 2014 to the Orthodox Patriarchate to present his best wishes of a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, to his Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III. The speech follows which he delivered on this occasion.

Your Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos III Brother Bishops Dear Friends On the occasion of the Christmas Feast, according to the Julian calendar, and on behalf of all present, I express to the Greek Orthodox, the Syrian, Coptic and Ethiopian sister-churches, our warmest greetings. Our We know that the eyes of the world are on us and wishes are in the same time ,a prayer for good health, any misunderstanding between our communities is peace, prosperity and pastoral success, in all your highly observed. efforts during the New Year 2014. Soon we will share the Week Of Prayer For The birth of Jesus has a strong message. Many Christian Unity. Its theme is very provocative: “Has fathers of the Church formulated it with this simple Christ been divided” (1 Cor 1:13). Responding to statement: God borrowed our human nature, in order the question requires prayer and reflection on our to give us much more in exchange. He took our fragility, responsibility towards God’s will and the irrevocable to make us participants to his divinity. He took our sinful call for all Christians “that all may be one”. Christians are nature to make us acquire his holiness. He became challenged, to prepare to receive the gift of unity through man to make us sons of God. The more we are aware prayer, inner conversion, renewal of life and fraternal of this privilege, the more we can be transformed ,and dialogue. A divided Christian witness, convinces fewer can help to transform the Holy Land and the Middle East and fewer people. There are no short cuts to unity. around us. There is the path of sincere love, serving and suffering The Middle East seems in long agony. Christians for the Church. suffer in many countries, and could not celebrate and Happily, we welcome the news of the forthcoming enjoy Christmas as we did here. We think in a special visit to the Holy Land of His Holiness Pope Francis and His way of Syria, where the population is suffering the Holiness Bartholomaios I, Archbishop of Constantinople consequences of a long civil war. We think of the two and Ecumenical Patriarch. In an ecumenical gesture, kidnapped bishops, who do not give signs of life ,and of both Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomaios, will the nuns who are still hostages. They are in our prayers gather in prayer at the Holy Sepulchre surrounded by all and thoughts. of us. This graced moment, present a further invitation to Your Beatitude, I am happy and proud of the fraternal charity and collaboration for all who are called collaboration between our churches during this past to unity. year, because we enjoyed increased meetings and There is other good news to share. Our Lutheran greater co-ordination. Allow me to praise your Beatitude, brothers inaugurated a new church on the Jordan River. for your speech during our last gathering with President In the presence of many Bishops and high ranking civil Peres ,and for the important message you delivered authorities, we share in their joy and congratulate them then. Though the Christian community here is relatively for this achievement. small, we know that when we are united, we express a Beatitude, dear bishops and guests, more effective message to all. The more generous and I convey to you all, our best wishes of joy and courageous and fearless we are, in working together happiness ,and ask for you, many divine blessings. and in praying together, the more our faithful are assured Amen. and confident. + Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem l o v e t h e h o ly land and be loved P A G E 3

Scott Hahn conference, Diocese: Holy Land News Sunday, January 12 The celebrated author Scott Msgr. Elias Chacour’s resignation Hahn (Rome Sweet Home) gave a lecture on the theme: The Apostolic Nunciature in Israel “The New Testament and the reports that the Holy Father, Pope Francis Eucharist in the Early Church.” has accepted the resignation letter The lecture was presented on submitted by Archbishop Elias Chacour, Sunday, January 12, 2014, at the Melkite Archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth John Paul II Conference Centre and Galilee. at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem At the same time, the Holy Father Center . appointed His Excellency Moussa El Haje, Maronite Archbishop of Haifa and Even anti-Christian graffiti the Holy Land, as Apostolic Administrator in the heart of Jerusalem sede vacante (vacant see) and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis (at the disposition of the On the site of “QUDS NET Holy See), of the same Melkite Archeparchy NEWS AGENCY” dated January of Acre with the same powers and responsibilities for governance 10, 2014 , there are pictures of Archeparchy. Jaffa-Tel Aviv – January 27, 2014 graffiti drawn in Hebrew, in early January, on the walls of Notre Dame Center, near the Christian Holy Land Catholics at Baptism site Quarter in Old City Jerusalem.

On the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, the First Sunday after Epiphany, Laura Boldrini January 12, 2014, many faithful of the Catholic parishes of the Holy Land visits the Patriarchate gathered with the Franciscans of the Custody for the celebration of the Baptism On January 17, 2014, the of the Lord on the site, right at the edge of Jordan. This Feast completed in a President of the Italian Chamber beautiful manner the liturgical season of Christmas. of Deputies, Ms. Laura Boldrini, It is only two years ago that one could celebrate the baptism of Christ accompanied by the Consul in the place where tradition places this event, Qasser El Yehud. Since the General of Italy in Jerusalem, Six Day War, the site was closed and in ruins for 44 years. The Israeli army Mr. Davide La Cecilia, visited the rarely gave permission to celebrate Mass there. Re-opened in the summer of Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, 2011, the site once again can accommodate pilgrims as it did back in the day where she was greeted by His when the whole Church celebrated Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist in the Beatitude Fouad Twal and his Jordan River. However, the proximity of the site to the Jordanian border – the Vicar Bishop William Shomali. two sides are separated by a maximum width of 4 meters – brings a large concentration of Israeli soldiers. Wishes to the Armenian This did not prevent many of the faithful, about 2000, gathering happily Church near the Jordan in the first place in order to try to imagine the scene that Monday, January 20, 2014. His took place there nearly 2000 years ago, and then to prepare for the Holy Beatitude, the Latin Patriarch Mass, in which 4 children were baptized with water from the Jordan River. of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, left The celebration began with a procession from the Orthodox monastery to his home, accompanied by the bank of the Jordan River, then continued with the Mass celebrated by the his Auxiliary Bishop William Vicar of the Custody, Father Dobromir Jasztan. The Custos, Fr. Pierbattista Shomali, and a procession Pizzaballa, was, at the time, in Lebanon for the episcopal consecration of consisting of a few priests the new Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo, Syria, Msgr. Georges Abou Khazen. After preceded by Kawwas, headed the Mass, many of the faithful went to the Mount of Temptation, overlooking to the Armenian Patriarchate Jericho, to commemorate the withdrawal of Jesus into the wilderness, as to present to the heads of the recounted in the Gospel, where he spent 40 days after his baptism. Apostolic Church in Jerusalem, On the Jordanian side, on Friday, January 10, 2014, there was a best wishes on the occasion of pilgrimage, presided over by Patriarch Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of the feast of the Nativity of the Jerusalem, in the presence of Bishop Maroun Laham, Patriarchal Vicar for Lord and Epiphany, celebrated Jordan, and other Catholic churches in Jordan. This allowed each person to according to their own Armenian renew the baptismal promises at this symbolic place. Church calendar. Pierre Loup de Raucourt P A G E 4 n e w s l e t t e r — JERUSALEM Pastoral and Liturgical Life The Church in Jaffa, a refuge for migrants On the occasion of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, faith,” recalled Father Neuhaus. “We want to be witnesses that this a Mass was celebrated on Saturday, January 18, 2014 in the celebration is a great joy. In our world, outside the Church , the parish of St. Anthony in Jaffa with the many migrant communities. reaction to the arrival of migrants is not always a celebration. Often The Coordination of the Pastoral among Migrants established by their arrival rather provokes reactions of suspicion and hostility.” the Latin Patriarchate is directed by Patriarchal Vicar, Fr. David Neuhaus, SJ. The joy of believing Gathering the faithful from at least thirteen or fourteen countries to celebrate a Mass is not common in Israel. “Look around If this mass was exceptional in bringing together a large number you,” stated Father David Neuhaus during his homily. “Look at the of migrants from many countries, it is nonetheless a further testimony to brothers and sisters the Lord has given us, in their diversity of origin the importance of the migrant communities committed to the Christian and culture, language and color – Filipinos, Indians, Eritreans and faith. Surrounded by Sisters from different congregations and priests Ethiopians, Sri Lankans, Romanians, Nigerians, Latin Americans, from the various countries of origin of the migrants, the communities Poles, Russians, Ghanaians, Lebanese, Arabs and Jews, Israelis and come together regularly. In Tel Aviv, the Filipino community has a Palestinians and many others!” chapel in a rented building that can accommodate 220-for Mass. On This diversity of nationalities participating in a Mass shows the Saturdays, the weekly day off for a great number of migrants, at least importance of immigration that the Israeli government is facing. There four Masses are celebrated. The chapel is filled to capacity for every are nearly 53,000 asylum seekers in the country, mostly from Eritrea Mass attended by Filipinos. Other communities – Indian, Sri Lankan, and Sudan, among them 40,000 are Christians. And there are over African, etc. also use the place for their worship gatherings in their 200,000 migrant workers as well. varied rites and rituals. In highlighting this gathering, the selected songs come from “What is most important is to help them spiritually, so that around the world. The universal prayer was read in eight different they keep the faith,” expressed a Sister of St. Paul of Chartres from languages. Readings have been chosen for the occasion, the the Philippines. “These people need to find courage and hope in Gospel was about the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, recognizing the their lives, it is by faith that they persevere and succeed. They also persecution of infants by Herod. A significant reality for migrants who need a family. Many of these people are hurt, discouraged, and have left everything, often risking their lives, live in difficult conditions frustrated. They have left their families. The Church must be a and often precarious situations after having arrived in Israel. family that supports them to heal.” At the end of the Mass, four communities presented their A wonderful example of this need to believe is their willingness cultural traditions through songs and dances. and commitment to contribute and provide for the 32,000 NIS (6,400 The migrant’s daily concern is to be able to work legally and Euros) monthly rent for the chapel, where they can continue to earn money to support the family. But this Mass was an opportunity celebrate, pray and proclaim their faith in the joy of being one big family. to rejoice. “We come to celebrate, we pray and we proclaim our Pierre Loup de Raucourt Father Faysal Hijazin in France to publicize our schools Father Faysal Hijazin, Secretary General of the Christian Schools in Palestine, and general manager of the Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine, went to France on a journey whose goal was to make known our Palestinian schools. The trip was organized by the French association “A Flower for Palestine”, which regularly provides scholarships for our most needy students in our Catholic Palestinian schools and Christian schools, in general. According to Professor Suheil De’ebes, Honorary Board Member of the association, which has its headquarters in Paris and its representative in Palestine, this journey began in the south of France and finished in Paris. Father Faysal had many meetings and lectured extensively to representatives of the association, and also to other local associations and politicians. The purpose of this trip was to raise awareness of the reality that Palestinians live, from an economic, social, educational and political point of view. A reality that affects the brunt of Palestinian students who daily bear the burden of the occupation and the separation wall. Waseim Kasabry

Canadian Minister received at the Latin Patriarchate January 25, Prayer for the Unity On Tuesday morning, January 21, 2014 His Excellency, Jason Kenney, of Christians in Nazareth Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of The Chemin Neuf Community, on January 25, organized a Canadian Multiculturalism arrived at the Latin Patriarchate to visit His prayer for Christian Unity in the Chapel of Mary of Nazareth Beatitude Archbishop Fouad Twal and his Auxiliary Bishop William International Center. More than a hundred people from Shomali. different churches – Latin, Melkite, Maronite Coptic, Orthodox, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, – came to join 5000 cities worldwide praying for peace in the Holy Land in the prayer of Christ “that all may be one”. The 6th International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land was held Sunday, January 26. A prayer initiative born from the desire of a number of associations of young Catholics under the patronage of the “Blessed are the peacemakers”, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. the Solemnity of the Feast of the Beatitudes On Sunday, January 26, 2014, accompanied by Bishop “We are all adopted children” Bishop Shomali Emeritus Kamal Bathish, His Beatitude Patriarch Fouad Bishop Shomali went to Ain Arik on Sunday, January 5, 2014 to celebrate Twal visited the Mount of Beatitudes near the Lake of the Mass. He met with local faithful and with a group led by Italian father Gennesaret, to celebrate the Solemnity of the Beatitudes, Giuseppe Dossetti. in the presence of many secular and religious faithful. l o v e t h e h o ly land and be loved P A G E 5 Our Diocese and the World “Migrants in Israel are not criminals” – Fr. David Neuhaus On January 19, 2014, the celebrates the 100th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. On January 18, a Mass was celebrated in Jaffa for many migrants who live in Israel. On January 5, thousands of Africans protested in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem against the refusal of the Israeli authorities to grant them refugee status. Here follows the reaction of Father David Neuhaus, SJ, Patriarchal Vicar for the pastoral care of migrants. 1. Why are African migrants in Israel no longer silent? To understand this protest movement, you need an overview of the situation. It is estimated that there are 53,000 African asylum seekers currently living in Israel, most of whom come from Eritrea and Sudan. The Eritreans are mostly Orthodox and the Sudanese mostly Muslim. The protesters claim their presence in Israel as refugees and denounce the authorities’ refusal to examine their demands equally as individuals (through personal interviews). Today, when the migrants arrive in Israel through the Sinai and the Egyptian border, the State gives them group protection, not taking any action with the individual in order to understand their private situation. As a result, they are treated as human masses and without refugee status, they have no social rights (work, health, etc.). For informational purposes only, among asylum seekers coming from Eritrea none has received this status in Israel, while 60-70% of asylum seekers from the same country, but who have migrated to Europe have been given the status of third-country nationals. The protesters also accuse Israel of persuading them to return to their countries (where war and disease are rampant). Israel proceeds in different ways by making their lives impossible, paying them some money to leave the country or putting them in prison or in detention camps. One has even been specially built in the south of Israel, its occupants may come and go during the day, but must check in three times and spend the night there. All these go against the international agreements signed by Israel. Finally, Israel may decide at any time to judge that the problems in the migrants’ country of origin are “finished” and “resolved”. For example, when there was the declaration of independence of South Sudan in July 2011, thousands of Sudanese were sent back to their country (while the United States had decided to wait to make such a decision , by monitoring the political developments of the new situation). Since then, many Sudanese who returned from Israel have died because of malaria or the civil war. Recently, on January 14, more than 200 civilians, fleeing the resumption of fighting in Malakal, drowned in the boat wreck that was overcrowded. 2. What justifies such a policy on the part of Israel? The problem is not economics. Some of the asylum seekers have found work. They represent a low-cost labor and without social rights. They contribute to the Israeli economy and have a good reputation in the construction industry, in hotel and catering work. The problem is actually a populist. Mainly, the asylum seekers live in the poorest urban neighborhoods of cities. For example, the very poor Jewish population of southern Tel Aviv, finds itself surrounded by asylum seekers arriving in extremely precarious conditions (many people live in the same room, there are smells and sounds of another culture, and crime also explodes). Over the past few months several local events of Israelis against Africans have been organized. Also, a strong popular demand puts pressure on the government to favor the expulsion of these people who, in their view, would harm the country’s identity. There is a whole vocabulary that stigmatizes these men and women who fled authoritarian regimes, and by miserable situations that qualify them as “infiltrators”. The migrants in Israel are not criminals. They simply ask for refugee status. 3. Do you support this wave of protest? Firstly, in this population of asylum seekers (Eritreans, Ethiopians and Sudanese), you should know that there are Catholics. These people should continue to live their faith and we must support them. For example, approximately 10% of the Eritrean migrant population is Catholic (of the Ge’ez rite). To serve this population, we have a new priest of the diocese of Adigrat in Ethiopia (Father Medhin), who can celebrate Mass in their rite, in Jaffa, Tel Aviv and Eilat. We also work with well-trained young Eritreans, including some former seminarians. Secondly, as a Church, we must be aware of the general situation of all asylum seekers who arrive in Israel in order to better support them. By choice, the Church does not engage directly with politics, but works with Israeli NGOs dedicated to these populations. To do this, we must: – Gather serious documentation of the experience of asylum seekers (trauma on the road, kidnapping, imprisonment, etc.). – Know their rights (child care, hospitalization …) – Support organizations that are trying to increase awareness in Israeli society – Provide material and psychological support. In this collaboration, we are fortunate to have Sister Azezet Kidane, a Comboni sister who is, in the Church, a true leader on world migration. 4. What does the international community do? The main problem is that here, the phenomenon of migration is international and, alas, the international community must also change. Many countries have to correct their attitudes . Pope Francis has clearly demonstrated that the world of migration holds a special place in his heart. Very concerned about what is happening to the migrants, the Pope in his message for the “World Day of Migrants and Refugees” asks that the whole world reacts: “A change in attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed by all…”. Here our Church of the Holy Land is already a world in danger, fighting for survival in a not very friendly region. But we are all brothers and sisters in our poverty. Our Church of the Holy Land, already poor and weak, is called to go outside of itself. It is not easy because it is not a wealthy Church: it is a poor Church that must encounter an even poorer Church. Statements gathered by Christophe Lafontaine P A G E 6 n e w s l e t t e r — JERUSALEM Projects of the Latin Patriarchate Irbid wants to comfort its priests and community

Irbid – In the heart of Jordan, the small parish of Irbid is about to undertake a series of works for the improvement of the existing infrastructure. It involves the renovation of two church halls and the renovation of the Church sanctuary.

Change takes place in the small parish church of St. George in the city of Irbid, located 70 km north of Amman and almost beside Nazareth, on the Jordanian side. After Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom, Irbid is the most populous city in the country with little more than a million people, followed by Az Zarqa. In terms of size, the city is home to many universities and other schools.

The Latin Catholic parish has about 150 families. A significant number that requires more infrastructure to support the healthy development of activities for everyone. There are several youth groups that include altar servers, a branch of Caritas, and a school run by the Sisters of the Rosary. Larger rooms are required for the parish committee as well as for larger gatherings that bring together the entire community. l o v e t h e h o ly land and be loved P A G E 7

A large church was built in 1960, with the help of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of the Lieutenancy of Montreal in Canada, but also with the help of the parishioners who wanted to expand their place of prayer. All the infrastructure is important for families who are affected by unemployment and the significant poverty that exists in Irbid. Therefore they need to come together to build projects that go beyond the simple pastoral and educational dimension.

The construction of the presbytery

Housed in an old building, the rectory should be refurbished for reasons of safety as well as comfort. Used by the parish priest and the faithful during the meetings, the presbytery should be a place easily accessed and adapted to ongoing activity. The complete renovation of the building, in particular, provides for the creation of a new kitchen, two bedrooms, a dining room and a living room. The work also includes the reworking the electrical system as well as insulating the house from noise, from the summer heat and winter cold. A new look will also be given to parish halls that host the world every week.

A vital project

For the current parish priest, Fr. Ala’ Musharbash, this project has strong support. Already for his own comfort: he is the primary beneficiary of the rectory renovation. At the heart of the pastoral mission, the priest is indeed in need of rest and a minimum infrastructure for live. However, this improvement of the conditions of daily life is completely at the service of the parish. With more functional meeting places and a pastor who can spend his energy knowing that he can easily recoup, the Christian community can only move forward and further unite.

So much so that for a few months, a new field of pastoral action has opened in the parish. Located very close to the Syrian border, the city - and therefore the parish - is facing a very high immigration of Syrian refugees. Among them, several are Christians. Materially, it is sometimes difficult to accommodate both their great poverty and the imposing number. But the parish must be open to those who want to seek comfort in prayer and the silence of a church.

It is one more reason for the work to be quickly completed and can be used to the greatest effect, in serving the diocese and the thousands of refugees. Pierre Loup de Raucourt

To read more, please visit www.lpj.org :

• The USCCB appeals for help for Cremisan Valley (29 January 2014) • Urgent need for support for families in Beit Jala seeking justice (28 January 2014) • In the Holy Land, an enthusiastic public expects Pope Francis, assures the Patriarch of Jerusalem (8 January 2014) • Details on the “pilgrimage of prayer,” the Pope in the Holy Land (5 January 2014) • Homily of Patriarch 1 January 2014 (1 January 2014) Holy Land Coordination Final Statement of the 2014 Holy Land Coordination

Here follow the Final Communiqué of the 2014 Holy Land Coordination issued by the Bishops participating in the Holy Land Coordination meeting on January 11 to 16, 2014. As Bishops from Europe, and North America we came to the Holy Land to pray with and support the Christian community and the cause of peace. In Gaza we witnessed the deep poverty of the people, and the courageous presence of the small and vulnerable Christian communities there. Gaza is a man-made disaster, a shocking scandal, an injustice that cries out to the human community for a resolution. We call upon political leaders to improve the humanitarian situation of the people in Gaza, assuring access to the basic necessities for a dignified human life, the possibilities for economic development, and freedom of movement. In the seemingly hopeless situation of Gaza, we met people of hope. We were encouraged by our visit to tiny Christian communities, which day after day, through many institutions, reach out with compassion to the poorest of the poor, both Muslim and Christian. We continue to pray for and support the priests, religious and laypeople working in Gaza. They exercise a ministry of presence, care for disabled children and the elderly, and teach the young. Their testimony of faith, hope and love gave us hope. This is precisely the hope needed at this moment to bring peace, a peace that can only be built on justice and equity for both peoples. Palestinians and Israelis desperately need this peace. For example, in the Cremisan valley the route of the security barrier threatens the agricultural land held for generations by 58 Christian families. The current peace talks come at a critical time. Now is the time to ensure that the aspirations for justice of both sides are fulfilled. We urge public officials to become leaders of hope, not people of obstruction. We call upon them to listen to the words of Pope Francis, who recently said to the Diplomatic Corps: “The resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians is a positive sign, and I express my hope that both parties will resolve, with the support of the international community, to take courageous decisions aimed at finding a just and lasting solution to a conflict which urgently needs to end” (13 January, 2014). As we leave the Holy Land, the bishops and people of the local Church remain in our hearts. They are not alone. Together with them we are people of hope. We pray that the visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Land will reinforce hope in the region. We believe a lasting peace is possible.

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Subscribe P.O.B. 14152 To subscribe free, write to: Jerusalem 9114101 [email protected] Tel: + 972 2 628 23 23 Fax: + 972 2 627 16 52 Visit our website: Media office : www.lpj.org [email protected]