Cardinal Leonardo Sandri has called for a worldwide collection in order
to preserve some of the Catholic institutions that have a presence in
the Holy Land.
He is responsible for overseeing the Eastern Catholic
Churches.
In his letter, he denounces the “instability or absence of
peace” that has led to an exodus of Christians from the region.
Card. Leonardo Sandri - Prefect, Congregation for the Oriental Churches
“For
us the act of participating in this collection is a concrete gesture of
support that surpasses many words because this speaks so much more in
terms of help, it's to be closer and more aware of the situations we are
experiencing at the moment. This is what you have to do to help the
land of Jesus.”
By publishing the letter, he hopes to call
attention to the plight of persecuted Christians in the Middle East and
inspire people to offer their support.
The collection would go
towards protecting some key places in the Holy Land that are mentioned
throughout the Bible.
The sanctuary of St. John the Baptist, St.
Catherine's Parish Church in Bethlehem, and the St. Saviour Monastery in
Jerusalem.
Card. Leonardo Sandri - Prefect, Congregation for the Oriental Churches
“This
is not just to make a contribution, that hopefully everyone can give,
but to live in our hearts always anchored to the land of Jesus.”
Cardinal
Sandri also plans to give aid to the local communities by providing
scholarships to youth, developing schools and family housing projects.
This would give a life line to many Christians in Nazareth, Cana,
Jericho, and throughout the area.
The cardinal says “the
Collection is inherent in the cause of peace,” and something that he
hopes will help the Melkite, Maronite, Syrian, Armenian and Chaldean
Churches that make up the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.