Holy Land: Latin Patriarch in historic meeting with Israeli Tourism Minister

Dormition Abbey, Jerusalem

Yesterday, (14 October, 2013) the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Tual, met the Tourism Minister of Israel, Dr Uzi Landau for the first time, to discuss enhanced cooperation regarding pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Dr Landau said: “This meeting heralds the beginning of enhanced and prolonged cooperation between the ministry and the Catholic Church. Pilgrimage serves as a bridge for peace, bringing together peoples and cultures from around the world.”

The Latin Patriarch echoed these sentiments, speaking of a “spirit of authentic cooperation and strong communication. We share both a mutual interest in providing hospitality and services for pilgrims and the goal that these pilgrims will return home as new ambassadors for the Holy Land.”

As part of the activities associated with the Year of Faith, which Pope Benedict XVI opened in Rome on 11 October 2012 and will end on 24 November 2013, tens of thousands of Catholic faithful from the region and countries including Italy, Brazil and Spain will celebrate the Eucharist at Mount Precipice in Nazareth on Sunday, 17 November, led by the Latin Patriarch.

The Latin Patriarch was accompanied by Fr George Ayoub, Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate, Fr Humam Khazouz, Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, Fr Michael McDonagh, Fr Pietro Felet, Secretary of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. The Mayor of Nazareth, Mr Ramiz Jaraisy, also attended the meeting, together with representatives of the Tourism Ministry.

Source: Ministry of Tourism, Government of Israel/Latin Patriarchate