This year, Pontifical Mission, founded as Pontifical Mission for Palestine in 1949 and entrusted to CNEWA, marks its 75th anniversary. Commemorations for this papal initiative for the Middle East began with Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan’s visit to Israel and Palestine in April.
The following travel log written by CNEWA’s delegation — Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, president, Tresool Singh-Conway, chief financial officer, and Thomas Varghese, director of programs — highlights the work of Pontifical Mission across Lebanon and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Follow along with the rest of their visit on our blog.
Wednesday, 17 July
The highlight of the morning meetings was the one with the apostolic nuncio to Jordan, His Excellency Archbishop Giampietro Dal Toso. The archbishop serves as papal nuncio in both Jordan and Cyprus. The occasion offered an important opportunity for a discussion of the relationship between the mission and work of CNEWA-Pontifical Mission, a papal agency, and the representative of the Holy See to the local church in the apostolic nuncio.
On Wednesday evening, the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Pontifical Mission was held at Mary of Nazareth Church. The highlight of the anniversary events was the Mass offered by the apostolic nuncio and other bishops and priests. In attendance were about 12 ambassadors; representatives of ambassadors; His Excellency Reneih Hattar, representative of Prince Hassan bin Talal, a member of Jordan’s royal family; Jordan’s minister of culture; Chaldean, Melkite Greek and Maronite clergy; a choir and band; and representatives from the various projects and entities where Pontifical Mission works.
In his homily, Archbishop Dal Toso, with reference to the biblical text of the day, reminded the congregation that God does not abandon his people. Jordan claims the site where Jesus was baptized. The nuncio expressed the hope that we would renew our own baptism and faith, an expression that God doesn’t abandon us. Baptism reminds us that as one body in Christ “one member takes care of the other.” Pontifical Mission, created in 1949 by Pope Pius XII, has cared for Christians and non-Christians throughout the Middle East for 75 years.
Pontifical Mission is a living expression of the way in which the Holy See confirms for all that God does not abandon his people. Through the work of our staff and most generous donors, we continue to offer humanitarian and pastoral assistance to Jordanians, Palestinians and vulnerable persons.
Offering his thanks, the nuncio said the work of Pontifical Mission can be considered, “a stone in the construction of a peaceful Middle East.”
Following the Mass, there was a reception, hosted by CNEWA-Pontifical Mission in the parish hall. There were about 125-150 people in attendance at the reception. We were able to meet and engage in serious conversation about our mission with the various guests.
Thank you for your prayers and donations! You are a “stone in the construction of a peaceful Middle East.”