Thousands dead, millions sick and immeasurable economic losses are the main effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and no region on Earth is being spared. One of them is the Holy Land, visited by pilgrims from all over the world. They were the region's primary source of revenue, now completely paralyzed because of lockdowns.
The Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Card. Fernando Filoni, calls the Order's more than 30,000 members to contribute to the “COVID-19 Humanitarian Support Fund” to help meet the needs of the Church in Jerusalem.
CARD. FERNANDO FILONI
Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
“There are two key areas: attention to families and support to schools. The Patriarchate already has an appropriate system in place to deal with these cases. The system allows parishes to identify concrete cases. These are then offered support that eventually reaches schools and families.”
Initially, the Order had allocated approximately $650,000 to address humanitarian issues in the region. However, the exacerbation of these problems during the pandemic prompted them to broaden their plan of action.
CARD. FERNANDO FILONI
Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
“I think the situation in the Holy Land isn't all that different from what we're living in other countries. That's because the crisis is affecting everyone. It's not that we're perfectly alright here, nor that migrants come in search of easy solutions. That's why it's crucial that we redistribute our solidarity.”
The Order will offer financial aid to support 38 schools of the Patriarchate, a system with over 15,000 students and 1,300 professors and employees.
CARD. FERNANDO FILONI
Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
“Obviously our help goes primarily to Christian families, because they're the ones working with us, and they're living in situations of poverty. However, schools are open to everyone, so it's evident that they also help non-Christian students and their families, many of which can't afford to pay. We don't discriminate against them. I think it's only fair that the child, regardless of his or her family, has the opportunity to continue to receive an education.”
The total raised by the “COVID-19 Humanitarian Support Fund” will depend on the solidarity of members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, who are called to be custodians of the Church in Jerusalem.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: Claudia Torres
