Jerusalem patriarch ordains auxiliary bishop for Hebrew-speakers

Published: 2003-11-14

KIRYAT YEARIM, Israel (CNS) -- Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem ordained the first auxiliary bishop for Israel's Hebrew-speaking Catholic community, in a Mass celebrated largely in Hebrew. Patriarch Sabbah blessed Auxiliary Bishop Jean-Baptiste Gourion, 68, and the small Hebrew-speaking community and said he hoped God would support them and all the people of the Holy Land. "May God bless you in your mission to be a faithful and wise leader," the patriarch said in Hebrew. "May there be blessings on him who has been chosen to meet the needs of the church." The small Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant Church in Kiryat Yearim was overflowing with members of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community, friends and supporters during the Nov. 9 ceremony.

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