Today, Friday 13th December 2024 Irish Confrère Donnacha Fahy, KHS visited the Offices of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and met with the staff including Mr Sami El-Yousef, CEO; Mr George Akroush, Director Projects’ Development Office and LPJ Chancellery Abdel Maseeh Younan, Paulm Lemarié, Sr Sandra Castoldi, Sinéad Martin and Cristina Grisanti.

Sami confirmed the latest situation in the Holy Land and explained how the very generous response to the Emergency Appeal for Gaza by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and others have contributed greatly to the suffering of many.

It is estimated that 140,000 have been aided by various means since the beginning of the war including 100% of the Christian community in Gaza, and an estimated 30% on the West Bank details of which are contained in the ‘Emergency Aid Appeal Report – November2024’.

Sami referenced also the most recent ‘Statement on the Commemoration on the Religious Observances of Advent and Christmas in the Midst of the Continuing War’ issued by The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem and their encouragement this year of their congregations and people to fully commemorate the approach and arrival of Christ’s birth by giving public signs of Christian hope in ways that are sensitive to the severe afflictions that millions in the region continue to endure

George Akroush gave a detailed explanation of the work undertaken by the LPJ Projects’ Development Office; Social Services and Relief Department; The Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics; The Vicariate for Migrants and Asylum Seekers (VMAS); the recent admission of laity to the LPJ Seminary in Beit Jala and emerging challenges in Cyprus part of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Diocese.

An audio recording can be accessed in this article.

Deus lo vult.

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