Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem: Holy Land Coordination visit sign of solidarity

(Vatican Radio)  The annual pilgrimage of European and American bishops of the Holy Land Coordination is taking place in Jerusalem this week.  The bishops visited Gaza Sunday and toured some of the areas most heavily destroyed after last summer ‘s conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal says he is pleased that the bishops have come this year to give witness to what he describes as the “dire” circumstances in which the Holy Land is living.

Listen to Patriarch Twal speaking to Lydia O'Kane:

“Outside the Holy Land, nobody can say that he doesn't know our dire situation.  That's why [the bishops’ presence is so important]. What we are asking, looking for, is more solidarity.  Feel with us, pray with us and do what you can do to achieve this peace that we are looking for and until now we couldn’t have,” says Patriarch Twal.

“The best [thing to happen] last year was the visit of his Holiness Pope Francis.  But at the same time, the situation is worse even than before.  We are working but the devil is working at the same time. So we rely on your help, solidarity and prayer.”

Patriarch Twal says the local Church and Christian community is happy to have the bishops who come from so many different parts of the world.  They come, he observes, to gather information about what is happening in the Holy Land so as to be able to do more advocacy work when they return to their home countries.

“It will be nice if they help us and at the same time, solidarity – that’s what we need more than ever” says the Patriarch.