The pastoral role of the Custody of the Holy places

Abstract

The Custody of the Holy Land manages its pastoral praxis in the Holy Land. It acquired this role from St Francis of Assisi, through the part he played when he founded the Order of Friars, or the Franciscan Order. During the 800 years of its existence the Franciscan Order had its ups and downs. Several Popes have been in the forefront to sooth down such matters, such as when the Brothers were at loggerheads between themselves over the issue of living in poverty. A most important moment of the Franciscan Order was when the Custody of the Holy Land was founded in order to spread the Good News of the Lord to the whole world and help the poor. One of the lands to which the Custody was assigned was in fact the Holy Land. Later on, the Custody of the Holy Land was entrusted with the preservation and conservation of the Holy Sites found in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem amongst others. The Custody was also entrusted to give refuge to the many pilgrims that embark on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Together with its pastoral role, it was also assigned two other important aspects, those of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue. Through such interchange, it unlocks its helping hand to other religions in order to work together to bring more stability to the Holy Land. This by promoting unity among Christian Churches and dialogue amongst different religious dimensions. Ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue could start happening because Muslim children go to Franciscan schools. At a young age they understand that it is through dialogue and not conflict that peace could be achieved. The friars always pray and hope that diplomacy and the ability to dialogue will prevail. It is only if peace prevails that prosperity in the Holy Land would flourish.