The Church of the Holy Land traditionally comes together at the invitation of the Nuncio and the Apostolic Delegate to celebrate the anniversary Mass for the election of the Holy Father.
This year, the Nuncio, Msgr. Antonio Franco, asked for several Masses to be celebrated. One was celebrated in the Palestinian Territories, in Bethlehem, on Tuesday, April 15; another, in Israel, not far from the Nunciature, at the Franciscan parish of Saint Anthony in Jaffa [1], on Wednesday, April 15; the last was celebrated in the traditional way at the Notre Dame de Jerusalem Pontifical Institute on Thursday the 17th.
Aside from the fact that Christians from the Territories do not usually have permission to come to Jerusalem, except for those who have a laissez-passer - as is the case for religious brothers and sisters - or if they have a permit, the several ceremonies also allowed the Nuncio to demonstrate his double role.
In fact, Msgr. Franco holds the position of Apostolic Nuncio (or ambassador of the See) to the State of Israel, and that of Apostolic Delgate in Jerusalem and Palestine. According to canon law, his function is one of liaison and information; the does not, therefore, have authority over the bishops of the country or the region.
Given that he is also the Nuncio for Cyprus, it should be noted that his sphere of responsibility does not coincide with that of the diocese of Jerusalem. In fact, Jordan and the Holy See have been negotiating diplomatic relations since 1994. There is, therefore, another Nuncio for Jordan, who is also accredited for Iraq.
Each of the celebrations in honor of the third anniversary of the election of the Holy Father Benedict XVI drew a large crowd of the faithful and official representatives of the sister churches, as well as local civil authorities. They were followed by receptions, well-appreciated occasions to meet and share in a joyfully ecumenic and warmly friendly atmosphere.
While at Bethlehem the Arab faithful were present in large numbers along with representatives of the Palestinian Authority, at Jaffa the diplomatic corps was pleased to respond to the invitations, as well as the Philippine community. (The Mass was animated by a Philippine choir, members of "Couples for Christ".) In Jerusalem, the crowd was composed mainly of religious brothers and sisters from the city and the surrounding area.
Even though the Pope is in the United States, he was quite present in the hearts of the Church of the Holy Land, where his accession to the throne of Saint Pierre was joyfully celebrated.
MAB
[1] Normally the Nuncio and Apostolic Delgate maintains his residence on the slopes of the Mount of Olives but the official seat of the Nunciature is in Jaffa (a suburb of Tel Aviv, the State capital, next to the Franciscan Convent of Saint Peter.
This year, the Nuncio, Msgr. Antonio Franco, asked for several Masses to be celebrated. One was celebrated in the Palestinian Territories, in Bethlehem, on Tuesday, April 15; another, in Israel, not far from the Nunciature, at the Franciscan parish of Saint Anthony in Jaffa [1], on Wednesday, April 15; the last was celebrated in the traditional way at the Notre Dame de Jerusalem Pontifical Institute on Thursday the 17th.
Aside from the fact that Christians from the Territories do not usually have permission to come to Jerusalem, except for those who have a laissez-passer - as is the case for religious brothers and sisters - or if they have a permit, the several ceremonies also allowed the Nuncio to demonstrate his double role.
In fact, Msgr. Franco holds the position of Apostolic Nuncio (or ambassador of the See) to the State of Israel, and that of Apostolic Delgate in Jerusalem and Palestine. According to canon law, his function is one of liaison and information; the does not, therefore, have authority over the bishops of the country or the region.
Given that he is also the Nuncio for Cyprus, it should be noted that his sphere of responsibility does not coincide with that of the diocese of Jerusalem. In fact, Jordan and the Holy See have been negotiating diplomatic relations since 1994. There is, therefore, another Nuncio for Jordan, who is also accredited for Iraq.
Each of the celebrations in honor of the third anniversary of the election of the Holy Father Benedict XVI drew a large crowd of the faithful and official representatives of the sister churches, as well as local civil authorities. They were followed by receptions, well-appreciated occasions to meet and share in a joyfully ecumenic and warmly friendly atmosphere.
While at Bethlehem the Arab faithful were present in large numbers along with representatives of the Palestinian Authority, at Jaffa the diplomatic corps was pleased to respond to the invitations, as well as the Philippine community. (The Mass was animated by a Philippine choir, members of "Couples for Christ".) In Jerusalem, the crowd was composed mainly of religious brothers and sisters from the city and the surrounding area.
Even though the Pope is in the United States, he was quite present in the hearts of the Church of the Holy Land, where his accession to the throne of Saint Pierre was joyfully celebrated.
MAB
[1] Normally the Nuncio and Apostolic Delgate maintains his residence on the slopes of the Mount of Olives but the official seat of the Nunciature is in Jaffa (a suburb of Tel Aviv, the State capital, next to the Franciscan Convent of Saint Peter.