Catholics and Anglicans set off on joint Holy Land pilgrimage

Bishop John Inge, Archbishop Longley

Archbishop Bernard Longley and the Anglican Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, are this week leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land; it's thought to be the first time such a joint pilgrimage has been made to the Holy Land from England. The fifty five pilgrims will visit the key sites of Jesus' life and death including Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem and the Sea of Galilee. The pilgrims will also spend time with the 'living stones' - those Christians who live and work in the Holy Land.

Archbishop Bernard said: "It is a privilege to travel as brother and sister pilgrims, sharing in our common faith and love of the Lord Jesus, and we hope and pray that in so doing, we may all the more live out that great prayer of Christ himself, that "all may be one". We shall pray for the unity of all Christians and especially for a deepening communion between Anglicans and Roman Catholics."

Bishop John said: "We will pray together in the places in which Jesus ministered and lived. Making pilgrimage with our Roman Catholic brothers and sister Christians will be a powerful witness to our desire for unity. We are particularly looking forward to joining our brothers and sisters in Christ who live and worship in the Holy Land today, often under great hardship: they desperately need to feel the support and encouragement of fellow Christians."

In the words of Pope Francis this week: "Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians."