Latest News

The latest update on the closure and reopening of the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

A Report from the Western Lieutenancy’s Holy Land Councillor, Sir Charles Radloff:

Wednesday, February 28th 2018

As indicated earlier today, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has reopened and pilgrims are able to enter and pray at the holy site without local disturbance.

The Jerusalem Municipality announced on Tuesday that it would halt its church property collection effort in light of the decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and will form a commission to find a solution to the issue of taxation of religious sites by the City of Jerusalem.

Two weeks ago the municipality of Jerusalem advised Israeli officials it would begin collecting 650 million shekels ($ 186 million USD) in 2017 taxes on 887 Church owned properties.

The Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem in charge of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Catholic Custody of Holy Sites, and the Armenian Patriarchate, issued a statement that they were following with great concern the systematic campaign against Churches in the Christian Community which is in flagrant violation of the existing “Status Quo”.

It is speculative to venture an opinion what will occur after the Israeli special commission meets to develop a solution. For comparison, the Fundamental Agreement signed in 1994 between the Vatican and the State of Israel has yet to be signed by the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.

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Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas Retires

Pope Francis Names Bishop George Thomas as Successor
(Bishop Thomas, KC*HS, has been a member of the Equestrian Order since 1994.)

From the Grand Magisterium of the EOHSJ:

Click here for the latest quarterly Newsletter (No. 49, Winter 2018) from the Grand Magisterium.

Click here to be taken to the Grand Magisterium’s website.

A Record-Breaking January for Pilgrimages in the Holy Land

Good news for pilgrimages to the Holy Land: statistics from the Christian Information Center show a steady increase, with record-breaking numbers for January 2018.

Click here for the full story from the Franciscan Custody website.

Click here for details on Pilgrimages to the Holy Land sponsored by the Western Lieutenancy.

Franciscans Mark 8 Centuries of Presence in the Holy Land

Click here to read the article on the Home Page of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Students at Zarqa South School in Amman, Jordan Thank The Western Lieutenancy

Click here to see the ‘Thank You’ notes from the students of Zarqa South School.

The Western Lieutenancy’s Justice & Peace Winter 2018 Newsletter is now available. 

Click here for the latest news from the Holy Land.

Justice and Peace News:

Cardinal says World Leaders Sidestepping Persecution of Christians

On August 8, 2017 Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien told Catholics gathered for Mass and a symposium in the Metuchen Diocese that “the enormity of today’s modern Christian genocide is possibly the worst and bloodiest in church history.” Click here for more.

The EOHSJ Presents its New Governor General

June 29, 2017

H.E. Count Agostino Borromeo, Knight of the Collar, served the Order as Governor General for the last eight years. With the second term of his mandate completed, he stepped down from this vital position. The Cardinal Grand Master, His Eminence, Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, has appointed a new Governor General to head the operations of the worldwide Order, H.E. Count Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, KGCHS, effective on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, 2017.

Rome Reports produced a video to highlight the dignified and collaborative transition of the office of Governor General and premiered it at the European Lieutenants Meeting in Rome. To watch the video please click here:

INTRODUCTION TO THE ORDER

The origins of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem date back to the First Crusade over 900 years ago. A Papal Order, today, our members dedicate themselves to personal sanctification, fidelity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and support of the Christian Community in the Holy Land.

Knights and Ladies continue this tradition through prayer and pilgrimage, active involvement in their parish and diocese and a commitment of financial resources to support Catholic Institutions in the Holy Land.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is the only lay institution of the Vatican State charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of all the activities and initiatives to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Financial contributions by members of the Order are used throughout the Archdiocese of Jerusalem, which includes Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Cyprus. Areas of support:

• Parishes, churches and community centers
• Convents, seminaries and seminarians
• Clinics and hospitals
• Parish grade schools, high schools and Bethlehem University
• Humanitarian assistance for food and medical supplies

It is through the dedication of our members that we support and educate our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, living by example the command to love and serve.