Verghese V Joseph –
The newly appointed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and president of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of Holy Land (ACOHL), Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, has invited all parishes and religious communities in Israel to hold a day (Tuesday, October 17) of fasting, abstinence, and prayer for peace and reconciliation in the region.
In a press statement, Cardinal Pizzaballa urged all to organize prayer times with Eucharistic adoration and with the recitation of the Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary. “Although most probably in many parts of our dioceses circumstances will not permit large gatherings, it is possible to organize simple and sober common moments of prayer in parishes, religious communities, and families. This is the way we all come together despite everything, and unite collectively in prayer, to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice and reconciliation.”
The Cardinal expressed sadness and said, “The pain and dismay at what is happening is great. Once again we find ourselves in the midst of a political and military crisis. We have suddenly been catapulted into a sea of unprecedented violence. The hatred, which we have unfortunately already been experiencing for too long, will increase even more, and the ensuing spiral of violence will create more destruction. Everything seems to speak of death. Yet, in this time of sorrow and dismay, we do not want to remain helpless. We cannot let death and its sting (1 Cor 15:55) be the only word we hear.”
The prelate further stated, “That is why we feel the need to pray, to turn our hearts to God the Father. Only in this way we can draw the strength and serenity needed to endure these hard times, by turning to Him, in prayer and intercession, to implore and cry out to God amidst this anguish.”
It was on September 30th, 2023, in St. Peter’s Square, that His Holiness Pope Francis appointed the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Mgr Pierbattista Pizzaballa as a Cardinal for the Holy Roman Church, in addition to 20 New Cardinals during a Public Ordinary Consistory, which witnessed the attendance of thousands of faithful from various nations.
The entire Diocese of Jerusalem rejoiced at the moment when His Holiness handed over the Papal Bull, to H.B Pierbattista Pizzaballa, which is a formal decree announcing his creation as a Cardinal, hoping that his creation will raise the voice of Jerusalem within the Church and in the World. Many expressed their gratitude for the Holy See’s interest in the Holy Land and the Middle East as a whole, and in particular the city of Jerusalem, which is the heart of the church.
Following his creation, Cardinal Pizzaballa had expressed: “The mission of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and my mission as it’s Patriarch remains the same. Granting me this new rank does not change the mission but increases its importance and signficance. I am pleased to be a voice for the Christians of this land in the world. I will continue, at the same time, to root the work of His Holiness in promoting Ecumenical dialogue in the Holy Land. I remain a pastor for the Christian community here, to help guide them throughout the various upheavels they may be faced with on a social and political level, by living out the Good news of the Gospel, which is the only Truth that will bring about peace.”