Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told thousands of faithful that Pope Francis sent him to preside over the inauguration of a new Catholic church at the banks of the Jordan River as a sign of the Church’s closeness to all Christians in the Middle East. Source: OSV News.
It is officially recognised by the Church as the site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus.
Representing Pope Francis, Cardinal Parolin inaugurated and consecrated Jordan’s Church of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Maghtas, known in the Bible as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on Friday.
“I am delighted to be here with you on this historic occasion,” Cardinal Parolin told the enthusiastic crowd of Jordanians, Palestinians and other Arabs together with foreign dignitaries.
During the Mass, Cardinal Parolin delivered a homily, read on his behalf in Arabic by Father Jihad Shweihat.
“Today we give thanks to God not only for the gift of this church that is being consecrated to him. Everything starts with the path that God became man and dwelt among us in this particular part of the world, this Holy Land,” Cardinal Parolin said.
“Here, we are at the lowest point of the earth, but it is precisely here that God came to meet us, as if to gather into his embrace also those from afar,” he said.
“At a time in history when this region is experiencing serious upheaval, it is important that Christians also make their contribution to the building of a just and peaceful society.
“I would turn my gaze beyond the Jordan and call for a ceasefire, the release of prisoners and hostages, and respect for humanitarian law,” he added, voicing an urgent call regarding the unresolved crisis in Gaza. “May the hearts of the leaders of nations be moved to seek peace and harmonious coexistence between peoples.”
Cardinal Parolin celebrated Mass, accompanied by the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on the 25th anniversary of the Church’s annual pilgrimage to Jesus’ baptismal site.
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Consecration of new church on banks of Jordan River called a sign of hope for region (By Dale Gavlak, OSV News)