Pilgrims of Hope for the Holy Land
"We make a heartfelt appeal to Christians in the UK: Do not be afraid to come on pilgrimage. But come as pilgrims of solidarity. Meet the local communities, listen to their stories, and buy their crafts. Your presence is a powerful message that they are not forgotten." Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales - Department for International Affairs Holy Land Co-ordination 18-23 January 2025
Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
“It's time to return to Jerusalem, and to bring joy to the Christian families who wait anxiously for the return of the pilgrims”
“The invitation is to come to the Holy Land as Pilgrims of Hope and express our closeness to the Christian community. Come back, we are waiting for you and we need you!”
"What weighs heavier than ever is the continued absence of pilgrims and tourists. Their absence has dealt a painful blow not only economically, but spiritually also, on the thousands of families who rely on pilgrims and religious tourism as their main source of livelihood."
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“We do not exaggerate when we say: If we do not act now—locally, nationally, regionally and internationally—this could be one of the last Easter celebrations with a significant Christian presence in Palestine.”
Palestinian Christian Leaders
"May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star: the one Morning Star who never sets, Christ your Son, who, coming back from death's domain, has shed his peaceful light on humanity."
Easter Vigil - Gaza 2025
"The ancient, indigenous Christian communities in the Holy Land are vanishing. Fast. But today the threat is urgent and existential. With many communities suffering a combination of population decline, intimidation, and challenge for places to live and worship.”
