Solidarity visit to vulnerable Christians in Middle East

Bishop John McAreavey is representing Ireland in a delegation of bishops making a 10-day visit to vulnerable Christian communities in the Middle East this week.

The Bishop of Dromore joins bishops from across Europe, North America and South Africa on the visit to communities in Gaza, Bethlehem and refugees in Jordan for the meeting of the Holy Land Coordination group.

The delegation will celebrate Mass at the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza, meeting with parishioners, visiting the school of the Holy Rosary Sisters and various projects helping people to rebuild their lives following the most recent conflict in 2014.

In Bethlehem they will celebrate Mass and visit the Christian community of Beit Jala which has suffered the loss of land and livelihood following the annexation of their property. The focus of the remainder of the visit will be Jordan and the refugees who have been forced out of their homes as a result of the ongoing conflict in Syria and Iraq.