Cardinal Foley: Catholic Schools Key for Holy Land

(October 30, 2010) Catholic schools may be the greatest contribution the Church can offer to build a culture of peace in the Holy Land, according to the grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Cardinal John Foley said this Tuesday during his opening remarks at the meeting of the Grand Magisterium, the governing body of the order, held in Rome. The cardinal, who participated in this month's Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops said it was a "privileged post for him to become more familiar not only with the Holy Land, which we are pledged to serve, but also with the Church in the entire Middle East, of which the Holy Land is such an essential part." He noted that in his remarks at the synod, he underlined the important role of Catholic schools in the region. "The work to which we as an order have dedicated ourselves over so many years has not only been welcomed but also very much appreciated," Cardinal Foley continued. "I ask not only that we continue what we have been doing, but that we do more on all levels: elementary, secondary and university. In this way, it is the Catholic Church which helps to form some of the best prepared leaders in the societies of the Middle East, young men and women of sound moral principles prepared to be well informed leaders in their societies,” he said. The cardinal noted that the members the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which dates back to the First Crusade in 1099, are "fortunate to be part of our Order at a moment in history when it is truly playing so important a role," and urged all the knights to "please, keep it up."