On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Cardinal-designate Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided at the Holy Mass marking the diamond jubilee of the priestly ordination of Monsignor Manuel Musallam at the Church of the Queen of Peace, in Birzeit township, Ramallah Governorate, the Holy Land.

In attendance were Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem Bishop William Shomali, Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Amman Bishop Jamal D’aibes, Patriarch Michael Sabbah, Bishop Paul Marcuzzo, Bishop Munib Younan, parish priest Fr. Louis Hazboun, a group of priests from the Latin Patriarchate and various churches, in addition to Palestinian Minister of Health Dr. Mai Al-Kaileh, public figures, and believers from the Holy Land.

In his address, Patriarch Pizzaballa indicated that Monsignor Manuel did not have great positions within the Latin Patriarchate, yet he was rather a priest for several parishes.  He addressed Fr. Maunuel saying, “You have become an authority within the Palestinian and Christian community, because you had a views to express. Thank you for being such a powerful voice, despite the approval of some and the objection of others. Your voice was sincere within the Christian and Palestinian community.”

Patriarch Pizzaballa concluded  his address by saying: “Sixty years of holy priesthood. These are the years that Fr. Manuel dedicated fully to the Church. May his life serve as a model for all young priests and youth so that he would forcefully call on our Christian society in particular, and the Palestinian society in general to proceed towards a bright future.

At the outset of the Holy Mass, Fr. Louis Hazboun  delivered an address  in which he noted that the Holy Mass marks three events which include welcoming His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa after his nomination as a cardinal, the diamond jubilee of Monsignor Manuel, in addition to the diamond Jubilee of both Sister Katrina Salem and Sister Isidora Sa’adeh, and the silver jubilee of Sister Nadia Khairy.  He also presented briefing on the life of Fr. Manuel.

By Munir Bayouk | en.abouna.org