Prot. N. 1/2007
Your Excellency,
As is my annual practice, and by virtue of Papal directive, I now turn to all of the Pastors of the universal Church, with a view to seek assistance for the needs of a portion of the Church which is both forever old and forever young. I refer to Catholic Christians living in the Holy Land.
The first historical reference to this Collection for the Holy Land takes us back to the pontificate of Pope Martin V. In 1421 he promulgated norms to regulate the gathering of offerings on the Holy Land’s behalf. This collection has since been marked by Pontifical approval; was confirmed by diverse succeeding Pontiffs, and was applied directly and with utmost solicitude for the aid of the Christian community in the Land of the Lord.
The Congregation for Eastern Churches shares in this concern, and stands always in solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land and those throughout the Middle East. We are aware, too, that the political and economic crisis of this area has not yet been resolved and shows evidence each day of unspeakable suffering. This situation impresses upon all of us that there is an absolute and urgent need to support our brothers and sisters in this land, and to do so in every possible manner. In particular, we continually invoke upon them that peace which comes only from the Most High.
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, recalled this obligation during his visit to Turkey: “We ask peace for Jerusalem and for the entire world (…). From this Anatole Peninsula, the natural bridge between continents, first of all we invoke peace and reconciliation upon those people who live in that Land which we call Holy, and which is home to Christians, Jews and Muslims. It is the Land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and which is destined to welcome a people who become a blessing for all the nations (Gn 12, 1-3)”.
The responsibility is grave which devolves upon the universal Church with regards to the Mother Church of Jerusalem. Therefore, all Catholics of the world must offer their prayer and expressions of solidarity, including those economic, to the Christian community of that same blessed Land. Despite their countless difficulties, these Christians offer day by day, and in silence, an authentic witness to the Gospel.
Recently, Jerusalem hosted an important International Congress of Commissioners of the Holy Land. The purpose was to reflect upon the Commissioner in terms of their fundamental role. The Congress also dealt with concrete questions pertinent both to the issue of the Custody and to that of the Collection. This Congregation also sent representation, with a view to nurture ties among those who are profoundly dedicated in their commitment to support the Holy Land.
It is appropriate also to acknowledge the Latin Patriarch, the Custody (considered to be the Order of Friars Minor’s “pearl of the missions”), the Eastern Catholic Churches and all of the institutes and organizations operative in this territory. To each I express profound gratitude. It is gratitude which is filled with confidence that the particular Churches of the world will continue to respond favorably to this vital cause of the Holy Land.
The heartfelt appreciation of the Holy Father is also extended. He assures his prayer and blessing for all of the Churches and upon all of the benefactors of the Land of the Lord.
Further, please find enclosed informative documents which indicate those works which were realized because of the 2006 Collection, and these as associated with the Custody and with our Congregation (encl. 1-2). Again, I take this opportunity to convey to you and to your cooperators in ecclesial service my thankfulness and that of the Congregation for Eastern Churches. And, in a spirit of mutual prayer, I share in an invocation which affirms that the Lord protects His disciples in that Land which has been sanctified by the mysteries of the Incarnation and of the Redemption.
With most cordial and fraternal regards, I remain,
Sincerely,
✠ Ignace Moussa Card. Daoud Patriarch emeritus of Antioch of the Syrians, Prefect
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Prot. N. 1/2007
CONGREGATION FOR EASTERN CHURCHES
The Congregation for Eastern Churches receives donations directly from the Apostolic Nunciatures. These are then distributed on the basis of a percentage system. Such includes both ordinary and extraordinary subsidies for the various ecclesiastical districts, monies for Religious Orders and for other ecclesiastical juridic persons in the following countries: Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and particularly in Israel and in Palestine.
Special attention is directed to scholastic institutions, such as Bethlehem University and the diverse levels of Catholic Schools. This category likewise includes expenses related to Jerusalem’s Secretariat of Solidarity.
There are also students who receive allocations because of the Congregation’s involvement with the U.C.S.E.I. (Central Office for Foreign Students in Italy). As well, grants are given on behalf of priests coming from the aforementioned countries and who are enrolled in the Pontifical Universities.
The Congregation exercises great care in promoting the favorable disposition of the bishops of the world towards the Holy Land, by no means being indifferent to the economic obligations which are involved in the Congregation’s commitment, while also being diligent in the collection and distribution of donations. The Congregation provides careful oversight concerning the process of handling the Collection and gives assurance that this process is in keeping with the proper aims as set forth by the Holy Father.