Christmas in Bethlehem will look very different this year
Opinion by Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS CNN — The iconic occupied Palestinian territories’ city of Bethlehem will undergo a profound departure this year from its usual jubilant atmosphere. For Palestinians, Christmas in Bethlehem represents a window to the world. It has long been synonymous with joy and hope, and an occasion to commemorate the place of birth of the Christmas story itself. Picture the vibrant streets
Bethlehem welcomes Advent 2023 with quieter procession, still with hope
On December 2, 2023 like every evening before Advent, the city where Jesus was born welcomed Custos of the Holy Land Fr. Francesco Patton, and the Franciscan friars for their annual procession into the city of Bethlehem. This year, however, due to the ongoing conflict, the solemnity of the event has taken on a more sober tone, in line with
The Middle East Council of Churches and the Palestinian Cause
Reverend Refaat Fikry Saaid, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), wrote an article entitled “The Middle East Council of Churches and the Palestinian Cause”, and published on the website of “Al Masri Al Yom” (which means the Egyptian Today) newspaper. In his article, which you can read it in Arabic by clicking here, Reverend
Save the Children: ‘Every hour without a ceasefire children die in Gaza’
Over one million children – or the entire child population - in Gaza have been left with nowhere safe to go as ground military operations were launched in Khan Younis following the collapse on Sunday of the truce between the Israeli government and Hamas. “World leaders must secure a ceasefire now. Every hour without one, more children will pay the
Pope prays for war-torn Ukraine, Israel and Palestine
Concluding the catechesis at the General Audience, Pope Francis reiterated his plea for prayers for all those who are suffering due to conflicts across the world. As he continues to recover from bronchitis that forced him to put off a scheduled journey to Dubai to participate in the UN Climate Conference and that has seen him entrust the words of
Archbishop Hosam Naoum’s Pastoral letter and Advent Appeal.
Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, has launched a Christmas and Advent appeal for children and families in the Holy Land who are in urgent need. In his Advent Pastoral letter, he said: “As our beloved brothers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I invite you to join the 2023 Advent and
Iraq, Christian leaders: the blood of Gaza (and Qaraqosh) ‘cancels’ Christmas celebrations
Condemnation of the "devastating war" in the Holy Land, criticism for the withdrawal of the presidential decree in the long-standing affair involving the Chaldean patriarch and deep "pain" for the tragedy that struck the Christian community in Qaraqosh and which , to date, sees those responsible unpunished. These are the main points of the final statement released yesterday, at the
Middle East: “If we don’t keep Catholic schools going, the consequences will be serious”
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has approved a new aid package for schools in Lebanon and Syria for the 2023-2024 school year. The 3.59-million-dollar package includes school grants for more than 16,000 predominantly Christian pupils from poor backgrounds in 176 Catholic schools, as well as allowances to supplement the salaries of 6,000 teachers in Catholic schools and 117
“Aid to the Church in Need” supporting Christians in the Holy Land
The pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has committed an aid package of $262,200 to support the Christians of the Holy Land amid the current crisis. This aid will support impoverished Christians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as Christian migrant workers and asylum seekers in Israel. Gaza Strip Gaza, November
Jordan: Children with cancer express solidarity with people in Gaza
On Sunday, December 3, an eve of chanting for the children of Gaza was held at Karam Imsih Hall, near the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla' Al-' Ali, western Amman, under the patronage of Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop Jamal D'aibes. The eve, presented by children with cancer, was organized by the “Irada Rouh” Foundation for Human Resources Development, in