Final Message
Plenary Meeting ACOHL October 15-16, 2026
On October 15 and 16, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land took place, attended by the region's pontifical representatives. The Ordinaries were updated about the Christian communities across the various jurisdictions and on relations with civil authorities at different levels. The consequences of war, violence, political instability, movement restrictions, and visa issues continue to affect the daily lives of the population. The Church continues its efforts to assist those most in need across various sectors, directly and through various institutions, the parishes and particularly Caritas.
In 2030, the Jubilee of the Baptism of the Lord will be celebrated, followed by the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033. Proposals were advanced, and work has begun in preparation for these significant events for the Church. Details were also provided regarding the upcoming visit of the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti.
The Permanent Episcopal Committee of the Assembly was confirmed, with H.E. Yousef Matta re-elected as Vice-President and H.E. Moussa El-Hage as third member, alongside H.E. Rafic Nahra as substitute. The Statutes of the Christian Schools of Galilee and the Statutes of Caritas Jerusalem were definitively approved along with the members of the executive committee. A new Executive Director of Caritas Jordan was appointed.
The various committees provided updates on ongoing work in the fields of pilgrimages, religious life, ecumenical dialogue, and dialogue with Islam. It is hoped that the situation will improve, allowing pilgrims to return to the Holy Land. The Safeguarding Office and the Legal Office continue to offer assistance and training courses across the various institutions. There is both quantitative and qualitative progress in the services offered.
The situation of Christian schools in Galilee was discussed. Preserving the Christian identity of these schools remains vital. There are legal difficulties regarding the status of our schools, tuition fees, low state subsidies and consequently low salaries for our teachers in the primary schools, as well as internal challenges among students. The Secretariat of the Schools continues to coordinate activities to address these challenges in a unified manner.
The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and concelebrated by the members of the Assembly and several priests. The directors of the schools of Galilee together with a large number of the faithful, participated in the religious service.
The Ordinaries offer special prayers for the health of His Holiness Leo XIV, with wishes for his prompt recovery. May the Lord grant us all the grace to bear witness to Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and may Christian charity and hope be a source of peace in these difficult times.
