Connections to CNEWA’s world Update From the Holy Land December. Bethlehem was near deserted of pilgrims this time, he said. He hosted the Christmas edition of “Connections With Msgr. Peter” from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, with Mr. Hazboun and Father Rami Asakrya, O.F.M., pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Bethlehem. Msgr. Vaccari also celebrated Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and visited CNEWAsupported programs, including the Collège des Frères in Jerusalem and Holy Family Hospital, and met with religious Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, CNEWA president, and staff of CNEWA’s leaders, including Rabbi Noam Jerusalem office visit with the Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady of Marans of the American Jewish Calvary in Jerusalem during his Christmas pilgrimage to the Holy Committee, Archbishop Adolfo Land, 18-27 December. Tito Yllana, papal nuncio, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, At the time of publication, war between Israel and Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. Hamas continued, with the death toll in Gaza surpassing 28,000 people. “Right now, there is a need to end the violence. With the violence going on in Gaza, that must end. The While CNEWA continues its provision of humanitarian aid hostages, every one of them, must be returned,” said to the churches in Gaza, the fluidity of the situation on the Msgr. Vaccari, outlining the priorities discussed with the ground and resulting shortages has limited the availability papal nuncio and the patriarch. “And then, starting to and deliverability of aid, said Joseph Hazboun, regional rebuild.” director of CNEWA’s Jerusalem office. However, his team “continues to follow up with the local Christian As part of its mission, CNEWA will continue to foster community” in Gaza and coordinate aid, providing food dialogue and promote peace among Christians, Jews staples, heating fuel and medicines, he said. and Muslims in the Holy Land, as it has for the past 75 years, he added. Other priorities include developing Despite the war, Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari continued the educational resources on the Christian presence in the longstanding tradition of CNEWA presidents and made Holy Land and the rich history of Christianity in this a Christmas pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 18-27 ancestral land.
Ukraine War Enters Third Year A peace agreement remains nowhere in sight in Ukraine, which entered its third year at war since Russia’s invasion on 24 February 2022. To date, more than 10,000 civilians have been killed, 6.3 million people have fled Ukraine and 3.7 million are internally displaced.
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CNEWA has distributed more than $6.2 million in funding to its partners in Ukraine and surrounding countries to support their assistance to the displaced, with funds for shelter, food, medical care and job placement. Funding also supports schools, hospitals and other churchled institutions caring for the vulnerable.
Read how a CNEWA partner is helping children heal from the effects of war on page 30. New Major Archbishop The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church elected a new shepherd. Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil was enthroned as the archbishop of