Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio invited HCEF President Rateb Rabie, KHS and Father Drew Christiansen, S.J. of The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation to speak to the students and faculty about the Christians in the Holy Land on February 25 at 4 PM in CBA3 and 7:30 PM at Bellarmine Chapel. Mr. Rabie and Father Christiansen recently returned from the Holy Land where they were engaged in work to support the Christians in the Holy Land suffering under military occupation.
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF)*
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Xavier University Hosts HCEF Officials
Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio invited HCEF President Rateb Rabie, KHS and Father Drew Christiansen, S.J. of The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation to speak to the students and faculty about the Christians in the Holy Land on February 25 at 4 PM in CBA3 and 7:30 PM at Bellarmine Chapel. Mr. Rabie and Father Christiansen recently returned from the Holy Land where they were engaged in work to support the Christians in the Holy Land suffering under military occupation.
These “forgotten faithful” have had a continuous presence in the Holy Land since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago. HCEF is engaged in a number of projects that provide hope and support for the remaining Holy Land Christians. HCEF encourages Christians to remain in the Holy Land in order to maintain a Christian legacy in the land where Christianity was born. HCEF provides funds received from donors to support education of Christian children. HCEF also encourages pilgrimage to the Holy Land and has thus far in 2002 arranged three Christian pilgrimages. Military occupation and the Intifada have resulted in the collapse of the tourist and handicrafts industries in the Holy Land. HCEF creates markets in the United States for olive wood and mother of pearl handicrafts produced by 40-50 family workshops in the Bethlehem district. Most importantly, HCEF is creating awareness of the plight of Holy Land Christians and informs Americans about the impact that military occupation has had on the spiritual, social and economic lives of all Palestinians living in the land where the Prince of Peace was born, taught and died.
Father Drew Christiansen, S.J. is a Senior Fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University and Counselor for International Affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Father Christiansen was responsible for organizing a conference on the Christians of the Holy Land for Catholic Bishops from North America and Europe held in Jerusalem on January 21-24, 2002. Pope John Paul II requested this follow-up conference of Catholic bishops after a meeting was held at the Vatican on December 14, 2001. The Holy Father is deeply concerned about the worsening spiritual and socio-economic conditions of Christians and Muslims living under military occupation in the Palestine. The bishops approved a number of recommendations that are to be reviewed by each Episcopal Conference of Bishops in European and North American countries. Once approved, the recommendations will become the action plan of the Catholic Church for continued support of Holy Land Christians.
The Holy land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is an all-volunteer 501c3 organization with the mission of informing Americans about the ongoing plight of Christians in the Holy Land and provides humanitarian assistance to relieve suffering, provide educational support and assists in job creation.
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* The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Christians in the Holy Land by developing bonds of solidarity with Christians in the United States. HCEF, PO Box 6687, Silver Spring, MD 20906. (301) 871-9222, Fax (301) 871-2277. www.hcef.org. Email: news@hcef.org, Toll Free (866) 871-4233
