Archbishop Pizzaballa meets Patriarchate priests

The unique meeting took place in the House of the Visitation, belonging to the Sisters of the Rosary in Fuheis, Jordan. The vast majority of the diocesan clergy from Israel, Palestine and Jordan participated in the two day meeting along with three of the Patriarchate’s Vicars, Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, Bishop William Shomali and Father David Neuhaus.

Archbishop Pizzaballa shared his reflections on the state of the diocese, outlining some of the challenges that the diocese must face in the months to come. The challenges include necessary administrative and financial reforms, renewed formation for the clergy and the formulation of pastoral priorities. The priests were able to ask questions and there was time to meet in discussion groups and discern the strengths, weaknesses, challenges and issues of the Patriarchate at present.

The two day session ended with a mass celebrated by the Archbishop in which he expressed his confidence that a new period was beginning in the history of the Latin Patriarchate.