By Jonah McKeown
CNA Staff, Jan 18, 2025 / 06:00 am
Catholic leaders in the Holy Land expressed cautious optimism this week that pilgrims will be able to return to the region amid a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza, which is expected to go into effect on Sunday.
While welcoming the ceasefire as a crucial step to end violence and address urgent humanitarian needs, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (ACOHL), which includes bishops, exarchs, and eparchs from across the region, emphasized in a Jan. 16 statement that lasting peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict.
“Genuine and lasting peace can only be achieved through a just solution that addresses the origin of this long-standing struggle. This requires a long process, a willingness to acknowledge each other’s suffering, and a focused education in trust that leads to overcoming fear of the other and the justification of violence as a political tool,” the Catholic leaders wrote.
The leaders said they “eagerly await” the return of pilgrims to the holy places in the Holy Land. Visitation to the Holy Land by foreign pilgrims, a vital part of the livelihoods of many of the region’s Christians, dropped sharply following the October 2023 start of the war.
“The holy places are meant to be places of prayer and peace, and we long for the day when pilgrims can visit them again in safety and spiritual joy,” the ordinaries said.
Several of the most significant sacred sites in the Holy Land, including the churches of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Annunciation in Nazareth, and the Nativity in Bethlehem, have been designated as pilgrimage sites for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, raising hopes that pilgrims may flock to them once again after more than a year of greatly diminished crowds.
“Despite the pain we have suffered, we continue to look to the future with unwavering hope. May this ceasefire inspire new efforts for dialogue, mutual understanding, and lasting peace for all.
Welcome to the Jubilee Year of Hope
As we begin the jubilee year dedicated to hope that does not disappoint, we see a sign of God’s faithfulness in this event.
Late Friday, Israel’s full Cabinet approved a ceasefire and hostage release deal that includes provisions for humanitarian aid, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. In the first phase, Hamas forces are set to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children.
Catholic Tour Operators Ready to Return
In the United States, Catholic pilgrimage leaders are optimistic about the ceasefire holding in the Holy Land. Steve Ray, a Catholic convert and pilgrimage service operator, plans to resume Holy Land pilgrimages in March. He hopes to spread the message to potential pilgrims.
Christians in the Holy Land are optimistic about the ceasefire and eager for tourism to return. Despite a relatively safe security situation in Israel, the perception of danger is keeping Americans from visiting. Ray hopes the ceasefire will encourage more pilgrims to explore the Holy Land once again.
“People are cautious, but I believe they will be inspired to visit the Holy Land soon,” Ray said.
