The Roman Catholic Church in the Kingdom has celebrated the launch of a book that seeks to provide an in-depth insight into relations between Jordan and the Vatican, according to its author.
Jordan Times

Titled ”Diafa Wa Infitah, Hospitality and Openness: The Holy See Diplomacy-The Vatican”, the book “will inform readers about the Vatican and its weight worldwide”, its author Father Rifat Bader told The Jordan Times.

“It also focuses on Jordan-Vatican relations that are subject to more cooperation in all aspects including cultural, humanitarian and interfaith dialogue,” the Roman Catholic priest said.

He highlighted the timing of the book launch a few weeks before Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Kingdom which begins May 8.

It also coincides with the 15th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Vatican State and Jordan.

Father Rifat Bader is a member of the International Catholic Union of the Press and Chief Editor of the Catholic news website https://www.abouna.org.

At the launch last Wednesday, Father Basheer Bader, another Roman Catholic priest, read a letter to the audience on behalf of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Fuad Twal, who was unable to attend.

“The book will be a practical reference in the media and universities on the Vatican State and its moral and ethical influence in the world,” the patriarch said in the letter, noting that it had no political, economic or military interests.

The letter added that good relations between Jordan and the Vatican are bound to enhance the tourism industry in the Kingdom.

Several ministers and religious dignitaries attended the launch, including Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Nabil Sharif, and Saleem Sayegh, the Roman Catholic bishop in Jordan.

“The book comes at a time when the media is in need of detailed information on the Vatican in order to cover the papal visit in a subjective and academic way,” Sharif said at the event.

“The aim of the author is not financial, but rather to give the reader insight of the Holy See’s diplomatic and international relationships, and at the same time, underline its special relations with Jordan,” he added.