Editors’ Note: Pilgrims of Healing and Hope commemorates the centennial of the founding of CNEWA in 1926 as a papal initiative of healing and hope.
This series will profile the men and women whose time, treasure, talent — and faith — have brought to life this unique effort of the Holy See. For generations, their generosity in support of the works of the Eastern churches has empowered each community of faith as they strive to follow the lesson of the Good Samaritan to “go and do likewise,” helping to bind the wounds of a broken world.
Dan Searby says the appeal of supporting Catholic Near East Welfare Association is its relationship with the local churches on the ground in its various mission territories, its “broader impact beyond the church,” and its commitment to work ecumenically.
“CNEWA represents that rare, elusive element of Christian unity, and that potential to realize Christ’s vision that all may be one,” he said.
Mr. Searby, a former Episcopalian who was received into the Catholic Church, said the “potential for Christian unity” is an important motivator in his faith life.
He first learned about CNEWA around 2011, when he was taking classes at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, now a satellite campus of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York.
Before going on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the seminary rector at the time, Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, urged him to spend as much time as possible in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built around the tomb where Jesus was buried after his crucifixion. The rector also encouraged him to become acquainted with CNEWA, which he did, reading its magazine, contributing from time to time and becoming well acquainted with its team in New York, Jerusalem and Beirut.
Over the years, Mr. Searby formed relationships with many who worked at CNEWA, including Msgr. John E. Kozar, who led CNEWA from 2011 to 2020, and Sami El-Yousef, CNEWA’s former regional director for Palestine and Israel, who now serves the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem as its chief executive officer.
In 2020, the Holy See appointed Msgr. Vaccari CNEWA’s president, finding Mr. Searby becoming an integral part of the life of the agency. He now serves as an adviser as a member of the President’s Council.
“As one of my priest friends has said, ‘There are no coincidences,’ ” Mr. Searby said. “It’s a sign of God’s providence.”
Mr. Searby is a managing director with ZRG Partners, a global talent advisory firm. He lives in Oyster Bay, New York, where he attends St. Dominic Catholic Church. He has been active in volunteering and fundraising, is a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and is involved in supporting the Bethlehem University Foundation.
“It’s CNEWA that has opened all these doors,” he said, adding that he continues to visit the Holy Land regularly.
“I’ve been to all the go-to places and beyond,” he said. “But the reason I go back now is the relationships.”