Pics: Dafna Tal
News: Fr Jai OFM
Daijiworld Media Network—Israel (RD)
 
Israel, Feb 29: Indian Christians’ delegation led by Mumbai Archbishop, CBCI president and Federation of Asian Bishop’s Conference (FABC) general secretary Cardinal Oswald Gracias arrived here on Sunday February 26, on the invitation of Israeli ministry of tourism with a mission to build good relations with State of Israel and Christian community in India and to promote pilgrimages and tourism between the two countries.  The tour was sponsored by Israeli ministry of tourism and supported by Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.
 
The delegation consisted of Ernakulam–Angamally Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry, Goa and Daman Patriarchal Archbishop Felipe Neri Serrao, Thiruvananthapuram Metropolitan Archbishop Susai Pakkiam, Syrian–Orthodox Church in India Archbishop Dr Joshua, United Lutheran Churches in India vice-president Dr Nag and four priests who are chancellors and secretaries of Cardinals.

They visited the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher,  prayed at the  Holy Tomb of Lord, and at Calvary, celebrated holy Eucharist where Jesus Christ celebrated his last supper at  Mount Zion.  They will be visiting different church leaders and Jewish synagogues and hold dialogues with religious leaders of different faiths till Thursday March 1. 
 
They called on Fr Pierbatista Pizzaballa, the Custody of the Holy Land at his Curia–St Xavier’s Monastery, Jerusalem.  He briefed them about Christianity in general and the different Christian communities that co-exist together with other communities and the present state of Christian faithful in the Holy Land. They discussed extensively about the Christian pilgrims from India and how the Custody of the Holy Land and Israeli ministry of tourism can help Indian pilgrims make better spiritual and fruitful pilgrimages.