His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s Pastoral Visit to Ramallah
By: Cécile Leca/ lpj.org
RAMALLAH – From May 5th to May 8th, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made a pastoral visit to the parish of Ramallah, after having previously visited the parishes of Til’Al’Ali (Jordan) and Bethlehem.
“Ramallah is a reference point for many parishes in the region. What you are setting up here serves as an example to many. You must always strive to be a leading parish and community.”
Such was the main message of the Patriarch during this pastoral visit, which included, in addition to Eucharistic celebrations, visits to Christian families, schools, places and institutions as well as meetings with various Christian personalities. Opening with the administration of the sacrament of Holy Communion and Confirmation to children of the parishes, it allowed Mgr Pizzaballa to immerse himself in the life of the parish and to become concretely aware of the realities characterizing the Christian life of Ramallah.
Following the first communions and confirmations on Friday evening, the Patriarch took the time to meet with the staff of the Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine (LPSP), whose director is Fr. Yacoub Rafidi, also the parish priest in Ramallah. They were thus able to present to him their ideas for the future of the schools and the challenges they face, while Mgr Pizzaballa shared his own vision, particularly with regard to Christian formation, for these establishments, which are essential if one wants to preserve the Christian character of the country.
The visit was also the occasion for His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa to meet Mr. Issa Kassis, mayor of Ramallah, who expressed his willingness to deepen the collaboration between the municipality of the city and the Church, especially with regard to possible Palestinian Christian cultural projects. Members of the parish council also stressed the importance of this kind of initiatives, recalling their desire to increase the visibility of Christians in the Holy Land, not only locally but also abroad…
This news was originally published on the website of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Please click here to read the full text.