The faith of two wounded lands

Dublin (Ireland) is ready to host the 50th edition of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC 2012) themed: "The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another" (June 10-17). For seven days 40 thousand people – 80 thousand are expected to gather and celebrate Statio Orbis, the final Mass in Croke Park – will be arriving from all over the world to attend the rich schedule of events due to unite faith and culture. There will be 150 workshops including talks, group reflections, 18 international speakers, Eucharistic celebrations in seven languages, films, music, theatre and an area for 2500 young participants. "A world day of adults" said father Kevin Doran, 2012 IEC secretary, who highlighted "the daily celebration of the Eucharist" the inspiring heart of the event. As in the case of the recent international meeting of families in Milan, also in Dublin will be present a delegation from the Holy Land, guided by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal and by his auxiliary Msgr. William Shomali interviewed by Daniele Rocchi for SIR Europe. "Everything must start anew from Jerusalem!" reiterated Patriarch Twal, underlining the commitment of the mother Church of Jerusalem to be increasingly present and active in the life of the Universal Church. In this framework must be sought the meaning of his participation to the congress in Dublin and the appointments that will ensue, such as the Pope’s visit to Lebanon in September and the synod for the new evangelization in October.Msgr. Shomali, after Milan, another delegation of the Holy Land is ready to leave, this time for Dublin, to the Eucharistic Congress…"The delegation of 34 people will be led by Patriarch Twal. He will be accompanied by four priests and by families from Palestine, Israel and Jordan. Some of them are members of Legio Mariae. They are very happy to travel to Ireland where Legio was established in the 1920s. We’re a small delegation, but considering the few members of our Church in Jerusalem, the delegation is actually large".How are you organized?"First of all, it should be said that the assembly of Ordinary Catholics of the Holy Land strongly asked for this participation. We had to overcome many difficulties, first of all those related to travel. To obtain visas, as known, is not easy here, but nonetheless we managed to set everything up as it should. We’re enthusiastic and we can’t wait for the Congress to open. We come from three different countries, but from the same Church. The assembly represents the union of different rites and in Dublin four different rites will be represented, namely: the Latin, Greek-Catholic and Syro-Catholic rites. The group’s composition is a sign of communion".That same "communion" that is referred to also in the slogan of the Congress… "The theme chosen has led us to organize everything in communion, with the joint participation of bishops, parish priests and lay people. We set up a "Committee for Dublin", which promoted over 10 preparatory meetings, including one in Bethlehem and one in Jordan, with the theme of the Eucharist. The meetings were followed by an exchange of emails in which we reminded participants of the goals and contents of the Eucharistic Congress. The preparations were fundamental and they will continue being so once we return home". A determined participations: what are the main reasons for your decision? "Firstly to honour the Eucharist and reaffirm our faith. Secondly, since the Church in the Holy Land is open and welcoming towards many pilgrims we want to be pilgrims to share our own gifts. But I wish to underline something else".Which is?"To support the local Church marked by the scandal of abuse. In Dublin they will feel our presence, that will reiterate that the Church of Ireland is a living Church, in despite of the weakness of some of its members. The human part of it is wounded by the Divine side, incarnated in Christ our Lord is alive. God remains our guide and He will not permit that His Church falls. On our part we will bring human and spiritual solidarity. It’s the prayer that heals and we count on it to heal also the wounds of our Holy Land".Does the Congress program include some time to dedicated to the Holy Land?"Patriarch Twal will preside over a Mass scheduled to take place on June 15 (at 16.00 hours), during which he will administer the anointment of the sick, followed by a conference on theme of pilgrimages, when the focus will be on Holy Land". How will those who will remain in the Holy Land live the communion with their brothers in Dublin? "On the occasion of the Congress the Ordinaries of the Holy Land will invite parish priests, religious and lay people to organize a Eucharistic Day at diocesan, parish and community level. A way to interlace prayer, pastoral and social commitment".