JERUSALEM - H.B. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, attended the jubilee ceremony of the Jerusalem School of Theology at Dormition Abbey.
The ceremony included many speeches and panel discussions by the Dean of the School, the President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), several Professors, Diplomates, and Alumni.
Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel, director of the Jerusalem Institute expressed his content to celebrate 50 years of success for this Ecumenical Theology Exchange Program in the Holy Land, saying: “Throughout these years, we graduated 1200 German-speaking Theologians who attended from different universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The Program is both practical and theoretical, covering topics related to Archeology, the three Abrahamic religions, and the Socio-political questions”. He noted that the program is funded by the German Government due to its uniqueness in helping German Theologians better understand the complexity of the region, as well as its diversity.
The program also collaborates with different universities in the region, such as the Hebrew University, and Al-Quds University.
“The program gave me such a broad perspective,” said Valerie, a current Exchange student from Germany, Colone. “I had many encounters with people from different walks of life and spectrums. This itself allowed me to develop critical thinking and better understand the complex relationship between Theology, politics, and society, as well as history. Today we celebrate this great school which helps break barriers, foster inter-religious dialogue, as well as tolerance and acceptance for diversity as it is hosted in the most multi-religious city, Jerusalem”.
