Irish aid agencies were today commended for their work across the world by a leader of the Catholic Church from the Middle East.
On his first official visit to Ireland since becoming the Coadjutor Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal expressed his gratitude to the Irish Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre for their ongoing support and to Irish aid agencies such as Trocaire.
"Our vocation is to remain, despite our small number, in the land where Jesus preached, redeemed humanity and founded the Church," he told more than 100 members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
"Together with your support, we will continue to stay and to keep our Faith.
"Our Mission is to be witnesses of the Gospel of love and reconciliation, being a bridge amidst a Muslim and Jewish majority."
Archbishop Twal highlighted the role for the Christian community in negotiating peace in the Holy Land, adding the peace is never achieved once and for all, but must be worked for constantly.
He also made a heartfelt appeal for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and an end to threats and violence from both sides. own homeland in dignity and security."
Opening a Mass to celebrate the investiture of new members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient Order of the Catholic Church which undertakes charitable works in support of Christian sites in the Holy Land,
Archbishop Sean Brady addressed the current plight of the Christian community in the Holy Land.
"It is very sad to see so many Christians leave the Holy Land," he said.
"What a shame to hear Bethlehem, so dear to Christians, now described as a vanishing Christian community, an isolated town, with boarded up shops and surrounded on three sides by an eight metre high concrete wall. I believe the Christian presence in the Holy Land is a moderating influence and is essential to achieving peace."
Archbishop Brady made fresh calls for both Jewish and Palestinian leaders to continue to work towards bringing all the interested parties to the negotiating table.
"The future of all peoples of the Holy Land depends on the securing of a just and lasting peace," he added.