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 …

Pope Francis: A Call That Brings Comfort!

We are sharing with you a video received from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ). The parish priest of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, even he is very sick! Photo: Candles and drawings at the foot of the statue of John Paul II at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where Pope …

Gaza ceasefire: reaction of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (ACOHL)

The Catholic Ordinaries of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) have reacted to the ceasefire in Gaza. Please click on the link below to read an unofficial French translation, on the Patriarchate’s website. The official version is available in English and Italian. https://www.lpj.org/en/news/declaration-of-the-catholic-ordinaries-on-the-ceasefire-ingaza2025 Thank you for continuing to pray for lasting peace in the Holy Land. 

Nativity Mass in Gaza Strip

To the great joy of Latin Catholics in Jerusalem gathered at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Eminence Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presided—exceptionally on December 22—the Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord. ✝️ “Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you” ✝️ In communion …

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 …

Young Christians still reeling from October 7 attacks – Part 2

Holy Land – Young Christians still reeling from October 7 attacks The Israelis who feel they don’t belong Many of the problems faced by Christians in the West Bank and Jerusalem spring from the fact that they are not entitled to Israeli citizenship. This is not the case for the Arabic-speaking Christians in the north …

Young Christians still reeling from October 7 attacks

Holy Land – Part 1 – Young Christians still reeling from October 7 attacks During a recent trip to the Holy Land, an Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) delegation spoke to young people and those involved in youth ministry in different regions, and found that though the challenges differ, all of them face …

October 7, Day of prayer, fasting and penance for peace

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) joins the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) in calling for a day of prayer, fasting, and penance for peace in the Holy Land on October 7. Königstein Im Taunus/Montreal, October 1st, 2024 The executive president of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, Regina Lynch, released the …