Advertisement Messenger PublicationsMessenger Publications Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Pope Francis to lunch with poor Christian families in Bethlehem


Pope Francis likes to eat with others

Pope Francis likes to eat with others

Pope Francis has chosen to have lunch with poor Christian families rather than church leaders and politicians during his visit to Bethlehem.

In an interview on behalf of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, said families were chosen by a special committee in order to represent the different Christian groups living in the town. After much deliberation, he said, the following families were chosen:

- A family from Ikrit, a village in northern Galilee that was evacuated and razed in 1948 by the Israeli Army. Only the church was spared. Although there have been court decisions, Christian Arab inhabitants were never able to return to their village.

- A family from the group of 58 families who have land in Cremisan area of Beit Jala. According to the planned route of the separation wall built by Israel, the land will be on the other side of the wall and therefore inaccessible for the owners. There are ongoing negotiations with the legal authorities that we hope will have a positive outcome.

- A family that represents those who struggle for a family reunion. One spouse living in Jerusalem, the other in the territories. Under Israeli law, it is difficult for the Palestinian spouse to obtain a permit for permanent residence in Jerusalem.

- A family with a son sentenced to life imprisonment, another a son exiled to Gaza for political reasons.

- A family from the Gaza Strip, which, Bishop Shomal says, "is a big prison".
.

He said it will be a diverse group, both from the point of view of age, but also of origin and various daily sufferings ... there will be families with father, mother and children. If a spouse is missing, the replacement will be a close relative. There will be young and middle-aged families. Several will be elderly. There will be 20 people in total, just according to the number requested.

Bishop Shomali said that after Mass, the families will meet at the Casa Nova of Bethlehem, managed by the Franciscan friars. Lunch will last about an hour. Having taken their place at table with the Pope Francis, they will discuss with him their situation and receive from him words of comfort. Some families speak Italian and some Spanish. There will be an Argentine friar who speaks Arabic to help with translation.

What are the lessons for the Church in Jerusalem? Archbishop Shomali said: "This is a lesson for us bishops and priests. We need to get closer to the suffering people of God, and not live isolated in our homes. The Pope says we are always to go out, to go to the others, to go in search of the sheep and not wait until the sheep seeks the shepherd. This is a great example for us. The Pope will not see all the misery of the Holy Land. He only meets five families, and giving us a good boost, it inspires us to continue our mission."

Source: Latin Patriarchate/Andres Bergamini/VIS

Adverts

SPICMA

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon