JORDAN – On Monday, January 18, 2021, His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, met with Lower House of Parliament Speaker Abdul Mun’im Odat as part of his pastoral visit to Jordan.

During the meeting, His Beatitude expressed profound appreciation for the positions adopted by His Majesty King Abdullah II and his pivotal role in protecting the Christian sanctities in Jerusalem in light of the Hashemite custodianship of the holy sites in the Holy City. He also stressed the importance of the historic relationship between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Jordan.

Furthermore, Patriarch Pizzaballa underlined the spirit of tolerance that is evident in the Jordanian state and its citizens. He added that Jordan has been presenting a model to be emulated in calling for peace and dialogue as well as in rejection of violence and extremism.

For his part, Lower House of Parliament Speaker Abdul Mun’im Odat conveyed well-wishes to His Beatitude on his appointment as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

He added that Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, continues to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land and in the region.

He added that Jordan is a state of tolerance with regards to its Muslim and Christian citizens, and noted that Jordanians rally behind their leader King Abdullah II in his support for the role of the Jerusalem Council of Churches which aims at entrenching a culture of moderation, dialogue and preserving the property of churches and their institutions.

The meeting was attended by Christian members of the Lower House of Parliament; Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Amman Monsignor Mauro Lalli; Secretary General of the Latin Vicariate Fr. Imad Alamat; and Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media  Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader.

On the other hand, a number of ambassadors accredited to Jordan visited the Latin Vicariate in Amman and conveyed well-wishes to Patriarch Pizzaballa on his nomination as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. In attendance were Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop William Shomali and Monsignor Mauro Lalli.

By: Munnir Bayouk

Source: abouna.org