Leaders of Catholic Order Supporting Holy Land Christians Meet in Philadelphia

Leaders of a global Catholic organization dedicated to supporting Christians in the Holy Land gathered in Philadelphia on September 14 to discuss their mission. The Eastern United States leadership of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem traveled from New York City to meet with local members of the order and Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.

One of the order’s predecessors, Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, played a key role in establishing the organization in the U.S. a century ago. The order has since been led globally by figures such as the late Cardinal John Foley, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who served in the Vatican for many years.

The Eastern Lieutenancy, based in New York City, is one of nine local chapters of the order in the United States. It marks its 75th anniversary this year and includes more than 2,400 members, along with priest chaplains, spanning four states and the Bahamas.

Deacon John L. Heyer II, the order’s executive director, emphasized that the organization forms its members “in the spiritual life and their commitment to the Church.” The pontifical order carries out the pope’s mandate to strengthen the spiritual life of its members, known as knights and dames, and to aid the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the ministries of Eastern Catholic churches in the biblical lands of the Middle East.

In the absence of adequate support for the small Christian communities in the region, members contribute financially and through pilgrimages to holy sites. They also offer their prayers and presence to the residents of the area, which includes parts of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.

“The Christians in the Holy Land are descendants of the first hearers and spreaders of the Gospel,” Deacon Heyer said. “We owe it to them to support them, in gratitude.”

Source: Read the original report