Patriarch Pizzaballa: at the Holy Sepulchre, comfort in uncertain times

Yesterday the new primate of Jerusalem of the Latins made his official entrance to the Tomb of Jesus. A sober ceremony with measures and restrictions due to the new coronavirus. Remembering is essential for constructing a bridge between our present time filled with worries and fear, and the future of hope. Pastoral commitment, clear and serene words on the political situation, meeting with sister Churches and Muslim and Jewish brothers.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - “We journey together with a God whom we know, towards a future that we don’t know. An uncertain future would cause fear and anxiety, especially at this present moment. Let us entrust ourselves to God whom Jesus revealed, to find consolation and comfort.” With a reference to the current time of "uncertainty" due to conflicts and Covid-19, which has also emptied the Holy Land of its pilgrims, the new Patriarch of the Latins Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa made his solemn entry into the Holy Sepulchre.

The rite was held yesterday afternoon, with an official address during which his Beatitude stressed that " Remembering is essential for constructing a bridge between our present time filled with worries and fear, and the future of hope which we find in God revealed and encountered in Jesus."

The Patriarch continued: "In this Holy Place I ask God to grant me strength, courage and constancy in giving life to this Church; to love her and guide her with patience and a paternal spirit. It is not the first time that I come to this Tomb to begin a new service to this Church of God, where I arrived as a newly ordained priest 30 years ago" where "I began my task as Custos of the Holy Land" and “as Apostolic Administrator. Intense and tiring years, but also rich in wonderful Church experiences”.

The new Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, former apostolic administrator, vacant seat of the same circumscription in the last four years, made his official entry into the Holy Sepulchre yesterday in a context of heavy restrictions. The authorities have issued a series of directives for the celebrations, in accordance with the health restrictions imposed by the new coronavirus pandemic, which have greatly limited attendance and participation.

If the Church of Jerusalem finds consistency in the "Easter light" and in "giving one's life out of love", looking to the future he ensures great commitment and attention to those " especially those who are in this difficult time and in need."

"A We look forward to a renewed pastoral impetus which takes into account the different territories and cultures, but which is also capable of unifying all of us. Enormous economic and social problems confront us, aggravated all the more by the ongoing pandemic. We look forward to saying a clear and peaceful word regarding politics, which is often fragile and short-sighted, but which weighs heavily on the lives of all our families We look forward to an encounter with other sister churches, with the Muslim and Jewish brothers. To live in the light of Easter means to know what to say to all, and to witness in life, the Christian hope that sustains us."