Holy Land
The Christian community in the Holy Land represents a physical link between the modern world and the life and times of Christ - they are the "living stones" of our faith.
The term "living stones" refers to the communities from which Christ drew his disciples, and who remain a living community in the countries of the Holy Land. The "living stones" keep alive the language, customs, culture and a continuing tradition from Christ's time.
Today the Christian communities and local Church in the Holy Land are under intense pressures, and, on behalf of the Bishops of England and Wales, the Department of International Affairs works to support these "living stones" and keep them always in our prayers.
International bishops' annual visit to the Holy Land
Since 1998, the Department of International Affairs has organised the annual meeting of the Co-ordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church of the Holy Land. It's often more simply called the Holy Land Co-ordination.
Mandated by the Holy See, the Holy Land Co-ordination meets every January in the Holy Land with the aim of acting in solidarity with the Christian community there and sharing in the pastoral life of the local Church as it experiences intense political and social-economic pressure.
In 2010, the focus will be on the situation in Jerusalem and delegates will be briefed and visit people in those areas of Jerusalem that have suffered from evictions and confiscations.
This year's Holy Land Co-ordination starts on Sunday 10 January and concludes with a press conference at midday on Thursday 14 January in the Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem.
