The Custody of the Holy Land supports the initiative by the President of the Italian Bishops' Conference to dedicate the next Pentecost Vigil (on May 23, 2015) to contemporary martyrs and to the tragedy of so many Christians and people whose fundamental rights to life and religious freedom are being systematically violated:
"This situation challenges us deeply and compels us to join in a grand gesture of prayer to God and closeness to these brothers and sisters."
We pray especially for the Christians of Syria and the Middle East, who today are being challenged more than ever.
May the Lord protect them and keep them forever.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM
Custos of the Holy Land
"This situation challenges us deeply and compels us to join in a grand gesture of prayer to God and closeness to these brothers and sisters."
We pray especially for the Christians of Syria and the Middle East, who today are being challenged more than ever.
May the Lord protect them and keep them forever.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM
Custos of the Holy Land