Holy land figures visit Mayo

Holy Land religious figures to visit Mayo


Anna -Marie Flynn

THREE prominent figures from the Holy Land will arrive in Mayo this weekend (Saturday) – to highlight the situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories with the Irish Church and political leaders.
HE Archbishop Theodosius Hanna of the Greek Orthodox Church Jerusalem,  Monsignor Manuel Musallam of the Latin Catholic Church Jerusalem and Mr. Constantine Dabbagh of the Middle East Council of Churches will spend a week-long visit in Ireland, with particular focus on Mayo – in a trip coordinated by Sadaka -  The Ireland Palestine Alliance.
The aim of the trip is to highlight the dwindling number of Christians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the devastating effects which the occupation has on Christians and Muslims alike, particularly in Bethlehem as Christmas approaches.
Sadaka member, Ballina man Alan Lonergan, has played a key role in organising this historic event.
In 2008, Mr Lonergan and his cousin, Derek Graham, also from Ballina, participated in a highly publicised siege-breaking boat journey to Gaza.
The visit has come about after the Ballina native suggested it over two years ago. “In part my experience in Gaza accounts for their trip to Mayo as I was the instigator of the visit to Ireland having met Fr. Manuel Musallam in Gaza where he had being based as the local PP of Holy Family Parish,” said Mr Lonergan.
The trip will see the three Church figures arrive in Ireland today (Tuesday) to undertake a jam-packed itinerary including a meeting with President of Ireland, Mary McAleese on Thursday. The itinerary also includes a scheduled meeting with Minister Micheal Martin T.D. in Leinster House. Following this the three will address a Joint Oireachtas on Foreign Affairs with members of both the Seanad and Dail.  The delegation will also enjoy a formal meeting with the Lord Mayor of Dublin at the Mansion House tomorrow evening.
Following an overnight trip to Belfast on Friday, the delegation will travel to Mayo where they will spend two days. A reception with Mayo County Council and trip to Michael Davitt Museum have also been pencilled in. The Mayo leg of the trip will culminate with an Ecumenical Service of Hope for Peace in the Holy Land  in Ballintubber Abbey, on the first Sunday of Advent, November 28 at 3pm.

This service is organised by Sadaka - The Ireland Palestine Alliance with the support of Christian Aid and Trócaire and all are welcome.