The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has called on Christians to “uphold and remain rooted in Jerusalem..”

Speaking at a ceremony for the Syrian Catholic community in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said: “Indeed Jerusalem remains for all, both Muslims and Jews. But it remains a Holy Land for Christians, as it is the land of Christ. Hence, we must uphold it and remain rooted in it”.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was speaking on August 25th on the occasion of the inauguration of a new hall at the Syriac Catholic Church in Jerusalem. Upon the invitation of Bishop Mar Yacoub Ephrem Semaan the Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Church of Jerusalem, Holy Land, and Jordan, the new pastoral hall in the Syriac Catholic Monestry in Jerusalem was inaugurated with the participation of the Apostolic Nuncio, several priests, as well as members of the Syriac Catholic community.

Bishop Mar Yaqoub expressed his delight at the presence of the Patriarch and explained that this project aims to better serve the parishioners, by providing a space to serve their different pastoral needs. Also, on this occasion, H.B. Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East sent an encouraging message, which was read out loud during the inauguration.

Pizzaballa expressed his great joy at witnessing the completion of such a charitable work that serves the Christians of the Holy Land, and stressed by saying: “Indeed Jerusalem remains for all, both Muslims and Jews. But it remains a Holy Land for Christians, as it is the land of Christ. Hence, we must uphold it and remain rooted in it”.