As Christians prepare spiritually for Easter, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, has highlighted the essential link between faith and charity, urging the faithful to support the annual Good Friday Collection to aid Christians in the Holy Land.
In a letter addressed to all Catholic bishops on Monday, March 17, Cardinal Gugerotti called for renewed generosity toward the collection, which supports the Church’s mission in the Holy Land, including the preservation of sacred sites and assistance to Christian communities facing immense challenges.
An Urgent Appeal Amid Crisis
The Prefect’s appeal comes amid ongoing instability in the region, particularly in Gaza, where the Israel-Hamas war has caused widespread devastation. While acknowledging that the ceasefire has paused the destruction, Cardinal Gugerotti warned of its fragility, saying it “will not be enough on its own to solve the problems and extinguish the hatred in that area.”
He echoed the words of Pope Francis’ October 7, 2024, letter to Middle Eastern Catholics, in which the Pope described them as “a seed loved by God”, called to keep the light of faith alive despite the darkness surrounding them.
Supporting the Holy Land’s Christian Communities
The annual Good Friday Collection funds numerous projects to support local Christian communities, including:
- Parishes, schools, and hospitals that provide education and healthcare.
- Homes for the elderly, migrants, and refugees in need of shelter and care.
- The preservation of sacred Christian sites, ensuring a living connection to places linked to Jesus’ life.
Cardinal Gugerotti stressed that helping the Christian presence in the Holy Land is a responsibility of the entire Church, saying, “For us Christians, the Holy Places have a special value. They are the incarnation of the Incarnation.”
He also expressed deep gratitude to the Franciscan Friars Minor, who have served the region for centuries through the Custody of the Holy Land, providing pastoral care and humanitarian assistance.
A Call to Action: Aiding Survival and Renewal
The Prefect underscored that this year’s Good Friday Collection is more crucial than ever, following the economic strain of the pandemic and the impact of the war on pilgrimages—a vital source of income for local communities.
“If we want to strengthen the Holy Land and ensure living contact with the Holy Places,” Cardinal Gugerotti stated, “we must sustain Christian communities that, in their various traditions, offer perennial praise to the God-with-us, also in our name.”
Addressing the bishops directly, he urged them to make the collection a pastoral priority, emphasizing that the survival of Christian communities in the Holy Land is at stake.
“I implore you to feel the Collection as one of your pastoral priorities,” he concluded. “At stake is the survival of this precious presence of ours, which dates back directly to the time of Jesus.”
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