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Bethlehem’s Chief Priest to Visit the United States
Tuesday, April 30, 2003
 Father Amjad Sabbara O.F.M., pastor of Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, will visit the United States in early June. The Holy Land Christians Society (HLCS), a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the Christians in the Holy Land, will host him for a two-week tour to speak out about the deteriorating living conditions of the Christians in the Holy Land and the threat that their numbers will soon dwindle to nothing.
As the pastor at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, Fr. Sabbara presides over the remnants of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. In this leadership role, he often finds himself dealing head on with the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From nonviolent demonstrations to full-scale war such as the siege of the Church of the Nativity last year, Fr. Sabbara has been on the frontlines.
While he strains to protect his remaining flock he has sadly had to watch many of them leave. The population of Palestinian Christians has declined from being a prominent majority several decades ago, to becoming less than 1.8% today. The tragic political realities and economic hardships have caused many families to seek alternative opportunities outside the Holy Land. Family after family has left behind their homes and society in search for better economic and social opportunities abroad. The Christian population will vanish within 20 years if the immigration of Christians continues at this rate. Over the last two years alone, nearly 500 Christian families have left the Holy Land.
Holy Land Christians is sponsoring a historical evening on May 31, 2003 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA. Fr. Sabbara will speak for the first time about his experiences during the siege of his church in Bethlehem.
Fr. Sabbara is HLCS's representative in the Holy Land, and on the board of its directors.
Holy Land Christian Society (HLCS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to support the Christian communities in the Holy Land. We offer economic development projects and education support programs to assist families in the Holy Land in both the short and long terms to sustain healthy Christian presence and maintain peaceful co-existence in the Holy Land. HLCS also raises awareness among American Christians about the plight of the situation in the Holy Land.
For more information, contact HLCS at 703-893-4138 or via email at info@holylandchristians.org
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