European, N.American bishops visiting Holy Land

(January 10, 2012) A group of European and North American bishops began their annual visit to the Holy Land on Sunday, aware that this year's four-day trip holds certain significance in the backdrop of the recent social and political changes that have taken place in the region. The bishops who form the Holy Land Coordination (HLC), began their tour visiting Gaza's tiny Christian community of 2,500 people on Sunday. At a Mass celebrating the Baptism of Jesus, Apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco spoke about the gift of faith received in Baptism, and stressed that this faith inspires love and hope amidst hardships. He also assured that the Universal Church, led by the Holy Father, was united with the Church in Gaza. After Mass, there was an open meeting, during which the parishioners shared their experiences of living in Gaza, where the economic blockade and security situation make work and freedom of movement extremely difficult. Other HLC members also assured their solidarity with the Gaza community. The Christian community of Gaza is made up of 2,500 people, of whom Catholics number around 300, in a total population of 1.5 million. Religious sisters run a home for the elderly, a centre for the disabled and a kindergarten and with the parish of the Holy Family are also involved in the running of the Catholic schools for the community. On Monday the European and North American bishops held a meeting with the Catholic bishops of the Holy Land where they also discussed the impact of the “Arab Spring” and the socio-political changes in the region.. On Tuesday, the bishops were to travel to Haifa, Israel, for an inter-religious exchange with Jews, Muslims, Druze and Bahai. They will meet Israeli and Palestinian ministers, and hold a press conference in Jerusalem before concluding their annual visit on Thursday. The overall aim of the Holy Land Co-ordination is to act in solidarity with the Christian community in the Holy Land, through the Assembly of Catholic bishops of the Holy Land, and to share in the pastoral life of the local Church as it experiences intense political and social-economic pressure.