On Tuesday, January 17, 2023 the Apostolic Nunciature in Jordan held a banquet in honor of the delegation of the Holy Land Coordination bishops, which was attended by a number of ambassadors of foreign countries accredited to Jordan that represent the countries from which the bishops came.
In attendance were Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop Jamal D’aibes, Greek Catholic Archbishop of Jordan Joseph Jbara, Director of the Catholic Center of Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader, Secretary General of the Latin Vicariate Fr. Imad Alamat, and Director of Caritas Jordan Wael Suleiman.
During the banquet, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Jordan Msgr. Mauro Lalli said in an address, “The international community is well aware of the credibility of the numerous educational and charitable efforts that the Catholic Church is conducting, not only in the capital, but also in the remote suburbs of the Kingdom in line with the calls of His Holiness Pope Francis to move towards the suburbs. He stressed that the services carried out by the Catholic Church in Jordan is aimed at every person regardless of social status or religious affiliation.
Msgr. Lalli recalled Pope Francis’ visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in May 2014, and thanked the local authorities for their “generous welcoming of a large number of Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees.” He also referred to the efforts exerted by the Royal Hashemite Family in the field of harmony, tolerance, and common living among followers of different religions, and the various launched dialogue initiatives such as “the Amman Message” (2005) and the document titled, “A Common Word Between Us and You” (2007) and the regional conference dedicated to Christians in 2013.
He added, “Despite Jordan’s proximity to conflict zones in the Middle East, yet it built a model of society based on tolerance and mutual understanding free from illusions, but based on healthy realism.” Msgr. Lally also called on present bishops and diplomats to continue supporting the Christian presence in the Holy Land region, as well as to strengthen the social work carried out by all churches.
Bishop Nicolas Hudson, head of the guest delegation, delivered an address during which he thanked the Apostolic Nunciature, and greeted the great efforts exerted by the Catholic Church which are designed to consolidate the strong ties among the Churches in the service of the entire Jordanian society thatis directed at needy people whether they are native citizens, immigrants, or displaced especially from Syria and Iraq.
