HCEF proudly announces the publication and release of Faithful Witness: On Reconciliation and Peace in the Holy Land, by an individual who has been an inspiration to millions, and instrumental to HCEF’s development over the past decade.
With a foreword by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, this unique collection features Patriarch Sabbah’s pronouncements and writings about the Holy Land and its indigenous Christians.
Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS, President/CEO of HCEF, expressed his great pleasure at the publication of Faithful Witness and to Patriarch Sabbah for his invaluable leadership and ceaseless efforts on behalf of the Mother Church, Palestinian Christians, reconciliation and peace: “We deeply value Sabbah’s strong religious values, spirituality, and humanity and his pivotal role in HCEF’s creation. This book, an HCEF publication, honors Sabbah, his hard work, and good deeds.”
Each chapter of Faithful Witness embodies a theme developed during Patriarch Sabbah’s twenty-year tenure as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1987 to 2008. The Latin Patriarch is the bishop of those Middle East Catholics who follow the Western Catholic Liturgy. Following on his previous work, Reading the Bible in the Land of the Bible, Faithful Witness proceeds from God’s Grace and the Nativity to Lent and Jesus’ Resurrection. In between, Patriarch Sabbah addresses other important topics, including the roles of different religions in Middle East peacemaking, the church and the Christians in the Holy Land, Jerusalem, ecumenism, Arab Americans, Christian-Muslim understanding, Palestinian-Israeli relations, conflict resolution, justice and forgiveness.
As Cardinal McCarrick explains in the Foreword:
“For anyone who wants to understand the complex status quo of the Holy Land today, this careful and thoughtful selection from the work and teaching of Patriarch Sabbah is a useful and most insightful guide. The first Palestinian to be called to the dignity and the challenging ministry of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, this brilliant and courageous religious leader has been for 20 years a father to his community and a test to his adversaries. As you read his words, you see a man who never gives up hope that the power of God will ultimately bring a new day of harmony to this land where the ancient prophets lived and died, and where the children of Abraham — Jewish, Christian, and Muslim — must find a way to live in peace together.”
Patriarch Sabbah’s inclusive vision embraces all peoples, be they Palestinian or Israeli. He courageously extends himself to open dialogue with leaders who do not share his vision of “peace with justice.” His friendship and conversations with Palestinian and Israeli leaders do not diminish his objectivity, his quest for dialogue and truth, or his calls for peace and reconciliation.
To purchase a copy of Faithful Witness, click here.
Patriarch Sabbah and his book have received widespread praise from Christians, Muslims and Jews. Some statements of support can be viewed here.
Faithful Witness: On Reconciliation and Peace in the Holy Land, Edited by Drew Christiansen, S.J. and Saliba Sarsar, Ph.D. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2008.
