Churches cry foul as tax war flares up again in Israel

Last February, the heads of Christian Churches in the Holy Land have officially protested against a renewed attempt to force them to pay certain taxes in the State of Israel. The most pressing case at the moment is related to the Armenian Church, but there are many cases involving Catholic institutions. The patriarchs and heads …

Bailasan: a balm for mental health issues in the Holy Land

The Bailasan Counselling Centre is the first Catholic psychosocial and mental health institution aimed exclusively at helping the Christian community in the West Bank. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) funded the renovation work at the centre and recently spoke to those whose job it is to care for a population suffering from a …

The Church wants to offer a joyful Christmas in Gaza and elsewhere in the Holy Land

More than one year after the war began, Pope Francis continues to phone the Catholic parish in Gaza every day and has become a grandfather figure to the children, says Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to give as much support as it can to the small Christian community in Gaza, as …

A ray of hope for Christians in the Holy Land this Christmas

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa says that even though he does not believe there is a short-term solution to the crisis in the Holy Land, he does have hope for the future of Christians in the region. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem believes that the end of the war in Gaza is in sight but warns that …

Jerusalem: “When the wounds are still bleeding it is not the time to speak of politics,” says Latin Patriarch

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, met on Wednesday, 17 July, with a delegation from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Jerusalem and expressed his gratitude for the help received. (Cover photo: Cardinal Pizzaballa blessing the Holy City of Jerusalem on April 2nd, 2023, part of the Palms Sunday liturgies). The …

Holy Land: Fresh aid offers hope to Christians living on the breadline

Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need has announced a second package of emergency aid for Christians who lost their livelihoods because of the war in Gaza. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will be supporting the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem with $700,000 between January and April 2024, bringing the combined total amount …