Vatican official says Catholics must support Holy Land Christians

Published: 2006-03-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics have an obligation to support Christians living in the Holy Land with prayer and material resources, said Cardinal Ignace Moussa Daoud. The cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, urged Catholics around the world to give to the special "Pro Terra Sancta" collection on Good Friday or on the date established by their local bishops' conference. "The presence of Christians in the Holy Land is more necessary than ever for the peaceful future of the area," he said, as well as for the good of the universal church, which needs to have "living communities that profess the Gospel faith" present and active in the land where Jesus was born, died and rose again. The collection was established in 1618 by Pope Paul V to support the Catholic community in the Holy Land and to help maintain the "sacred sites linked to Redemption."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .