Holy Land Pilgrimage: Bishop Kenney talks of his hopes and fears
(Vatican Radio) A delegation of Catholic Bishops from Europe, North America and South
Africa on Saturday began its annual 5-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, aimed at showing
solidarity with Christians living in the region. Known as the Holy Land Coordination,
the Bishops will be visiting Jerusalem, Gaza and Bethlehem to meet members of ocal
Christian communities and those involved in the Church’s pastoral work in the area.
Among those taking part in this year’s pilgrimage is William Kenney, Auxiliary
Bishop of Birmingham, in the UK, who previously led the pilgrimage for 12 years. He
spoke to Susy Hodges about his expectations concerning this year’s visit. Listen to
the full interview with Bishop William Kenney:
Bishop
Kenney says his “hopes” are that this pilgrimage “will encourage the Christian people
we meet in Gaza and other places.” At the same time, he has “fears” because “the situation
in the Holy Land is getting worse and there’s less hope than there was (in the past).”
Asked about the upcoming visit to the Holy Land by Pope Francis in late May, Bishop
Kenney says “it will raise expectations” among the Christian community for a resolution
of some long-standing problems.
The focus of this year’s pilgrimage is
on the small Christian community in Gaza and he explains that the Bishops took this
decision because “it’s one of the places most endangered and where people are suffering
most.” Bishop Kenney says the Bishops want to encourage anything which “brings people
together” in this troubled region.