Taybeh, Palestine – Sanad Sahelia, Nabd ElHaya – Father Bashar Fawadleh, pastor of the Latin Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, welcomed a delegation representing the Papal Mission and the Knights of Columbus in a visit titled “Mission of Hope and Solidarity,” aimed at expressing support and hope to the local Christian community in this historic town.
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The delegation included Archbishop William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); Mr. Patrick Kelly, Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus; Mr. John Marrella, Secretary of the Knights of Columbus; Msgr. Peter Vaccari, President of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA); Mr. Michael La Civita, CNEWA Director of Communications; and Mr. Joseph Hazboun, Regional Director of the Pontifical Mission, Jerusalem.
Presenting Taybeh
Father Fawadleh gave the delegation a detailed overview of life in Taybeh, focusing on the daily challenges faced by the local Christian community—challenges that intersect with the struggles of other towns and villages across the West Bank. He noted that the town has recently faced repeated attacks by illegal Israeli settlers on private property, lands, and holy sites, while the Israeli occupation imposes ongoing security restrictions, land confiscations, military checkpoints, and closures, as well as economic and social pressures, affecting particularly the most vulnerable Christian families.
Fr. Fawadleh emphasized that the parish continues tirelessly to create job opportunities, implement vocational and housing projects, and support artistic, sports, and recreational activities, alongside educational initiatives and preservation of the local Christian heritage. The parish works daily to provide a safe and stable environment for children, youth, and underprivileged families despite ongoing difficulties. He stressed that Taybeh’s Christian community faces existential challenges that threaten its continuity on its historical land, yet it remains steadfast in its faith and traditions, continuing to play an active role in Palestinian life.
Fr. Fawadleh described the visit as timely, noting that residents require every form of support and solidarity. He highlighted that the delegation’s presence is an opportunity to strengthen connections with the local Christian community and to share a realistic picture of daily life in Taybeh and Palestine with the wider world, expressing the global Church’s solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land facing ongoing challenges.
Recognition of Pastoral Efforts
During the visit, delegation members spoke to "Nabd Al-Haya", reaffirming the visit’s message of hope and solidarity. Archbishop Lori stressed that the visit conveys a message of hope for peace and justice and supports the resilience of the local community. Addressing Fr. Fawadleh, he said: “Your love for your people is evident in tangible actions. You create hope here every day, and we have come as pilgrims to share in this solidarity and friendship.” He added that Taybeh’s pastoral efforts deserve wider recognition and that the visit provides an opportunity to share these stories with U.S. bishops and strengthen international solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land.
Mr. Kelly said: “We came to the Holy Land representing the Pontifical Mission and the Knights of Columbus on a mission of hope. We were greatly encouraged by the people we met and their courage. It is crucial to know that no one is alone; we stand together as Catholics and Christians.” He added: “On behalf of the nearly two million members of the Knights of Columbus in the U.S., Canada, and other regions, we express our solidarity with your pastoral mission and efforts to maintain the unity and protection of your people, and we hope to continue supporting you through CNEWA.”
Msgr. Vaccari praised the delegation’s efforts and the “heroic” pastoral work in Taybeh, commending Archbishop Lori, the Knights of Columbus, and the Papal Mission team in Jerusalem, reaffirming CNEWA’s commitment to supporting the local Christian community and sustaining these pastoral initiatives.
Mr. Hazboun emphasized the visit’s importance in conveying an accurate picture of the realities, struggles, and hopes of the people of the Holy Land, highlighting its role in supporting Christian resilience and promoting the message of hope and renewal called for by Pope Francis during the Jubilee Year of Hope.
St. George (al-khader) Church
The visit began inside Christ the Redeemer Church, where Fr. Fawadleh presented the parish’s history, highlighting the church as a spiritual and social center that preserves Christian identity amid ongoing challenges, including repeated settler attacks and restrictive security measures impacting daily life. The delegation was also briefed on the parish’s pastoral, educational, and social programs supporting children, youth, and vulnerable families.
The delegation concluded with a tour of the historic St. George (al-khader) Church, dating back to the Byzantine and Crusader periods. The delegation received explanations of the church’s religious and cultural significance and observed the aftermath of fires set by Israeli settlers around the church and the town cemetery, which were contained by residents and the civil defense to prevent damage to the church itself.
