Holy Land Christians offer the model of a 'Servant Church'

Episode 13 January 22, 2021 00:09:46
Holy Land Christians offer the model of a 'Servant Church'
Catholic News
Holy Land Christians offer the model of a 'Servant Church'

Jan 22 2021 | 00:09:46

/

Show Notes

On today’s ‘Catholic News’ podcast we’re joined by the long-term chair of what’s called the Holy Land Co-ordination – a prayerful annual pilgrimage of bishops from around the world to the land of Christ’s life and ministry.

Bishop Declan Lang, Catholic Bishop of Clifton, like his fellow delegates, had to engage in this year’s pilgrimage remotely due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The bishops met from 16 – 21 January online.

They heard time and again, particularly when discussing the current realities in Gaza, how Church-run organisations like hospitals, schools and charities, are punching well above their weight serving the wider community beyond the church walls. In Gaza, for example, the Catholic organisation Caritas facilitates 61% of all healthcare home visits in this Palestinian territory of 2m people. There are only 1,077 Christians in that number – of which 132 are Latin Catholics.

“It’s the model of the church as servant, as a servant to people in need,” syas Bishop Declan. “This love of neighbour is a very practical form of Christianity. Perhaps that’s what we need in the Church in Western Europe – to become a ‘servant church’ – a church that is there to serve the wider community and its needs.”

Bishop Declan Lang also talks about the prospect of peace in the region and where, despite the bleak outlook, we can find hope for the future.

Other Episodes

Episode 44

November 01, 2022 00:15:27
Episode Cover

Caritas Salford Director on the Cost of Living Crisis

Patrick O’Dowd, the director of Caritas Salford, spoke to us recently to give an overview of what the charity is doing to ease the...

Listen

Episode 48

January 25, 2023 00:10:08
Episode Cover

Chair of the Holy Land Co-ordination speaks about the group's visit to Jordan

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chairing his first Holy Land Co-ordination, spoke to us on the eve of his return home from Amman, the capital of...

Listen

Episode 33

May 10, 2022 00:13:09
Episode Cover

Cardinal looks back on the Bishops' visit to Wales

Cardinal Vincent Nichols spoke to journalists, remotely, about the Bishops' first plenary meeting in Wales for 18 years. The Cardinal, President of the Bishops'...

Listen