The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land paid tribute to the 157th Patriarch of Antioch, H.B. Ignatius IV Hazim, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. The region lost one of the greatest spiritual figures of the Arab Christian world .
Venerable Members HOLY SYNOD
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch DAMASCUS
CONDOLENCES
At the news of the death of H.B. Ignatius IV Hazim, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and of all the East, the members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land pay homage to a man and a priest who for many years played a leading role in the Church and particularly during the 33 years of his patriarchate.
We join together to underline the moderation of Patriarch Hazim in the midst of an explosive and turbulent society. He always defended unity and rejected violence. We stress his faith in dialogue among the Churches and religions where his presence was considered and his word was heard. We also remember his outstanding commitment in the field of human and Christian formation of priests and laity. The Patriarchate of Antioch and the Middle East lost a guide whose wisdom and advice is, now more than ever, needed to face today’s challenges.
We entrust to God the soul of His wise and perceptive servant, who he is numbered among His beloved elect. As a grain is sown in good soil, we entrust to land of Damascus the mortal remains of H.B. Ignatius IV Hazim with the hope that we realize what the great Patriarch said last summer, “the bloody crisis that shakes Syria will not alienate Christians from Muslims of the country.” So be it.
+ Fouad TWAL Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem President A.C.O.H.L.
+ Elias CHACOUR Greek-Melkite Catholic Archbishop of Akka Vice President A.C.O.H.L.
+ George LINGUA Apostolic Nuncio for Jordan
+ Giuseppe LAZZAROTTO Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Cyprus
+ Michel SABBAH Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem
+ Yaser Al-AYYASH Greek Catholic Melkite Archbishop of Petra and Philadelphia (Amman)
+ Joseph SOUEIF Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
+ Mussa AL-HAGE Maronite Archbishop of Haifa & Holy Land Maronite Exarch of Jerusalem
+ Boutros MOUALLEM Greek Catholic Melkite Archbishop of Akka Emeritus
+ Gregoire Pierre MELKI Syrian Catholic Exarch of Jerusalem
+ Joseph Jules ZEREY Greek Melkite Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem
+ Maroun LAHHAM Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan
+ Giacinto-Boulos MARCUZZO Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel
+ William SHOMALI Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem & Palestine
+ Kamal-Hanna BATHISH Latin Patriarchal Vicar General Emeritus
+ Salim SAYEGH Latin Patriarchal Vicar Emeritus for Jordan
Msgr. Joseph KELEKIAN Armenian Catholic Exarch of Jerusalem
Very Rev. Pierbattista PIZZABALLA, OFM Custos of the Holy Land
Rev. Evencio HERRERA DIAZ, OFM Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Cyprus
Rev. David NEUHAUS, S.J. Patriarchal Vicar Hebrew-speaking Catholic Vicariate
Rev. Raymond MOUSSALLI Chaldean Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan
Rev. Pietro FELET, scj Secretary General
