The Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The jubilee took place on May 2 at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, with around 350 parishioners and guests in attendance.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the Mass for the feast of St. James the Apostle. The Vicariate serves Catholics living within Israel’s Hebrew-speaking society, including local Christians and migrants.
Archbishop Atallah Hanna raised alarms about escalating Israeli attacks targeting Christians in Jerusalem. He described these incidents as part of a broader policy aimed at weakening the Palestinian presence in the city.
Hanna highlighted a recent assault on a French nun in Jerusalem’s Old City as indicative of a longer pattern of violations against Christians. “We are one people, and we are all targeted in our holy sites, our endowments and the details of our lives,” he said.
Key facts:
- The Vicariate has been active since its founding across Jerusalem, Tel Aviv–Jaffa, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, and Tiberias.
- Cardinal Pizzaballa served as vicar from 2005 to 2008.
- Fr. Piotr ?elazko remarked, “Seventy years is a gift. It is also a responsibility.”
The Christian Media Center has reported on these developments, emphasizing the need for protection and support for Palestinian Christians facing increasing threats.