I. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Immediately after the adoption on 29 November 1947 by the General Assembly of the United Nations of a plan for the partition of Palestine, hostilities erupted began. This situation brought affliction and keen anxiety to the heart of the Holy Father, Pope Pius XII.((Pope Pius XII, encyclical letter Auspicia quaedam, 1 May 1948, #12)) In his encyclical letter Auspicia quaedam, of 1 May 1948 on public prayers for world peace and the solution of the problems of Palestine, Pope Pius asked for supplications “that the situation in Palestine may at long last be settled justly and thereby concord and peace be also happily established.”((Ibid., #14))
When the British High Commissioner left Palestine on 14 May 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed and Arab armies crossed into Palestine. As hostilities continued in the following months, Pope Pius was deeply concerned. He published another encyclical letter, In multiplicibus curis, on 24 October 1948, concerning prayers for peace in Palestine. The Pope expressed sorrow “that, in the land in which our Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood to bring redemption and salvation to all mankind, the blood of man continues to flow; and that beneath the skies which echoed on that fateful night with the Gospel tidings of peace, men continue to fight and to increase the distress of the unfortunate and the fear of the terrorized, while thousands of refugees, homeless and driven, wander from their fatherland in search of shelter and food.”((Pope Pius XII, encyclical letter In multiplicibus curis, 24 October 1948, #1))
Pope Pius XII’s relief initiatives
Pius XII, “without abandoning the attitude of impartiality,”((Ibid., #4)) did his utmost to attain justice and peace in Palestine.((Ibid.)) He sought to come to the aid of the victims of the war by sending the resources at his disposal to his representatives in Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt for this purpose, and by encouraging the formation among Catholics in various countries of undertakings organized for the same purpose.((Ibid., #5))
In February of 1949, when an armistice came into effect, Pope Pius continued to demonstrate his concern for the plight of the Palestinian people and the status of the Holy Places. In his encyclical letter Redemptoris nostri cruciatus of 15 April 1949 he said “piteous appeals still reach us from numerous refugees, of every age and condition, who have been forced by the disastrous war to emigrate and even live in exile in concentration camps, the prey to destitution, contagious disease and perils of every sort.”((Pope Pius XII, encyclical letter Redemptoris nostri cruciatus, 15 April 1949, #5))
Establishment of the Mission
During the preceding months, the Holy Father had been studying the efforts of the Church among the refugees with a view to unifying all the work of humanitarian and charitable assistance of the Holy See into one overall pontifical agency. In April 1949, Pope Pius summoned to Rome Monsignor Thomas J. McMahon, the National Secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. The pope informed him of his intention to organize a special mission for Palestine and named him its president.((“A presiedere questa Missione e stato chiamato l’Ill.mo e Rev.mo Mons. Tommaso Mc Mahon, persona ben nota nel campo della carita verso l’Oriente, essendo il Segretario Nazionale della Catholic Near East Welfare Association, negli Stati Uniti.” (Eugene Cardinal Tisserant, Secretary, Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Church, Istruzione, 18 June 1949) ))
On 18 June 1949, Eugene Cardinal Tisserant, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Church, published an Istruzione announcing that the Holy Father had erected a Pontifical Mission for Palestine((“Il Santo Padre, nel Suo vivo interessamento per la Palestina e tutti coloro che hanno particolarmente subito le conseguenze della guerra che vi si e svolta, Si e compiaciuto erigere una “MISSIONE PONTIFICIA PRO PALESTINA.” (Ibid.) )) and outlining its competence: “…it has been decided to bring together under the Pontifical Mission, operating in the Holy Land, all those organizations and associations which are engaged in activities concerning the East, and which are scattered throughout many countries of Europe and other continents.”((“..si e deliberato di stringere intorno alla Missione Pontificia – operante in Terra Santa – tutte quelle opere ed associazioni che esplicano una attivita a favore dell’Oriente e sono sparse in numerosi Stati di Europa e degli altri continenti.” (Ibid.) ))
Later, Pope Pius named Canon Jules Creten, rector of the archdiocesan seminary of Malines, as secretary of the Mission, and he approved the nomination of Father Raphael Kratzer, O.F.M., as assistant to the president. The field headquarters of the Pontifical Mission was established in Beirut. Later, offices were established in Jerusalem and in Amman.(( “La Missione Pontificia – come e ovvio – avra la sua sede centrale in Palestina e svolgera la propria attivita in quella regione e negli Stati confinanti o vicini, per far giungere ad ogni profugo e bisognoso palestinese la carita del Papa e di tutti i cattolici del mondo.” (Ibid.) ))
Early organization and operations
Seven local Pontifical Mission committees involving the papal representative, hierarchy, clergy, laity, and charitable agencies were organized for Arab Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Trans- Jordan, Israel, and Gaza. Additionally, further central administrative and field staff were recruited.
The Mission began to function as the liaison of the Holy See with the agencies of the United Nations and expanded the services of Catholic personnel to the same. It also served as liaison with the other voluntary agencies working in the area.
In the years that followed, the Pontifical Mission not only distributed many tons of food, clothing, medical supplies, temporary shelters, and cooking equipment to the newly dispossessed, but also constructed homes for those who had lost their own.((“The rapid and providential intervention of the Mission after the recent conflict led to distribution of many tons of food, clothing, medical supplies, temporary shelter and cooking equipment to the newly dispossessed, as well as the construction of homes for those who had lost their own.” (A.G. Cardinal Cicognani, Secretary of State of His Holiness, letter to the Right Reverend Monsignor John G. Nolan, President, Pontifical Mission for Palestine, 8 April 1968) )) An outstanding achievement of the Pontifical Mission was its encouragement and endowment of training and educational programs to enable the refugees to help themselves through newly acquired skills and trades and to accede to literacy and higher schooling.(( “Over the past nineteen years, the outstanding achievement of the Mission has been its encouragement and endowment of training and educational programs, to enable the refugees to help themselves through newly acquired skills and trades, and to accede to literacy and higher schooling.” (Ibid.) ))
Pope Paul VI’s concern
In October 1963, a few months after his election to the papacy, Paul VI, expressing his personal appreciation of and identification with the work of the Pontifical Mission, wrote to its president that ”We esteem highly the efforts and admirable achievements of that Mission, which we helped establish….”((Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, Joseph T. Ryan, Our Domestic Prelate, President of the Pontifical Commission for Palestine, 7 October 1963)) He exhorted relief agencies everywhere to collaborate with the Mission, addressing in particular the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Relief Services, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.((“We exhort relief agencies everywhere to assist your Mission in accomplishing its important work; and, in this regard, We address particularly those bodies to whom this appeal was made from the beginning: the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Relief Services – National Catholic Welfare Conference, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.” (Ibid.) ))
Pope Paul VI went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January 1964. His vivid and personal experiences there prompted him to call for new, important and creative initiatives on behalf of Palestinians and the Church in Palestine. On 25 March 1974 in the encyclical letter on the increased needs of the Church in the Holy Land, Nobis in animo, the pope spoke of “the grave religious, political and social problems existing in the Holy Land: the complex and delicate problems of the coexistence of the peoples of the region, of their living in peace, and questions of a religious, civil and human nature which involve the life of the different communities that live in the Holy Land.”((Pope Paul VI, encyclical letter Nobis in animo, 25 March 1974))
Pope Paul warned that “the continuation of the state of tension in the Middle East, without conclusive steps towards peace having been taken, constitutes a serious and constant danger. This danger imperils not only the peace and security of the people there–and the peace of the whole world–but also threatens certain values which for various reasons are supremely dear to such a great part of mankind.”((Ibid.))
New directions
On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine in 1974, Paul VI cited its work as “one of the clearest signs of the Holy See’s concern for the welfare of the Palestinians, who are particularly dear to us because they are the people of the Holy Land, because they include followers of Christ and because they have been and still are being so tragically tried.”((Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, John G. Nolan, President of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine, 16 July 1974 )) He expressed again “our heartfelt sharing in their sufferings and our support for their legitimate aspirations.”((Ibid.))
Pope Paul gave new impetus and new dimensions to the work of the Pontifical Mission. “Our Mission for Palestine is thus about to be faced with a compelling task. In addition to continuing its assistance, without distinction of nationality or religion, to those who have suffered or are suffering in any way as a result of repeated conflicts which have devastated that region, the Mission will now have to expect, in the situation which is now evolving, to contribute to projects of aid, of rehabilitation and of development for the population of Palestine.”((Ibid.)) He again called for promotion in the Catholic world of “an effective collaboration between all the relief organizations concerned with Palestine.”((Ibid.))
Contemporary challenges
As violence and warfare increased in Lebanon, the Pontifical Mission became increasingly involved in assistance to those suffering there. It provided emergency assistance and basic necessities to Lebanese and other peoples dispossessed, displaced, or otherwise affected by regional conflicts and acts of violence, and assisted in the repair of damaged educational, charitable, and religious institutions.
From the beginning of the first intifada in Palestine the Pontifical Mission supplied emergency medical supplies, medical equipment and personnel, agricultural supplies, and assistance to families and schools.
Because of its modest administrative structure, its non-governmental nature, and the confidence it enjoys among the local churches, the Pontifical Mission is able to act quickly, expeditiously, and effectively to alleviate human suffering and aid human development. It concentrates especially on trying to meet those needs that are either too limited to be addressed by larger agencies or which fall outside of their funding guidelines.
II. PURPOSE AND GOALS
The Pontifical Mission for Palestine is a specialized agency of the Holy See established by Pope Pius XII in 1949.((“Il Santo Padre, nel Suo vivo interessamento per la Palestina e tutti coloro che hanno particolarmente subito le conseguenze della guerra che vi si e svolta, Si e compiaciuto erigere una “MISSIONE PONTIFICIA PRO PALESTINA.” (Tisserant, op. cit.) )) Its purpose is to assist, without distinction of nationality or religion, all those who suffer because of the repeated conflicts which have devastated Palestine and neighboring regions of the Middle East.
The Pontifical Mission encourages and supports projects and programs of emergency assistance and relief; care and rehabilitation; education and human development; collaboration and service to other agencies; and advocacy and public awareness.((“Our Mission for Palestine is thus about to be faced with a compelling task. In addition to continuing its assistance, without distinction of nationality or religion, to those who have suffered or are suffering in any way as a result of the repeated conflicts which have devastated that region, the Mission will have to expect, in the situation which is now evolving, to contribute to projects of aid, of rehabilitation and of development…” (Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, John G. Nolan, op. cit.) ))
Emergency assistance and relief
The Pontifical Mission provides food, clothing, medical assistance, temporary shelter, and other basic necessities for the relief of Palestinians and neighboring peoples of the Middle East dispossessed, displaced, or otherwise affected by war, regional conflict, or discrimination.((“…continuing charitable works: collections of clothes, food, medicines, money….” (Tisserant, op. cit.)
“For the past fourteen years, the Pontifical Commission for Palestine has carried on this noble apostolate, by providing spiritual and material relief for the victims of war in the Holy Land.” (Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, Joseph T. Ryan, op. cit.)
“…the Catholic Near East Welfare ssociation…provides most of the means of alleviating the pains of the homeless. The rapid and providential intervention of the Mission after the recent conflict led to distribution of many tons of food, clothing medical supplies, temporary shelter and cooking equipment to the newly dispossessed…” (Cicognani, op. cit.) ))
Care and rehabilitation
The Pontifical Mission repairs and reconstructs homes and educational, medical, charitable, religious, and cultural facilities and institutions in the Middle East damaged by war or other acts of violence.
It establishes, equips, and maintains programs, facilities, and institutions for the care of orphaned and needy children, the physically and mentally handicapped, the sick, the indigent, the homeless, and the aged.((“Orphans and the blind are cared for and trained…” (Cicognani, op. cit.) ))
It assists educational, medical, charitable, and cultural societies and institutions organized for such purposes.
Education and human development
The Pontifical Mission encourages and endows educational programs and institutions to enable the poor and the oppressed to help themselves through the acquisition of skills and trades, literacy, and higher schooling.((“…the outstanding achievement of the Mission has been its encouragement and endowment of training and educational programs, to able the refugees to help themselves through newly acquired skills and trades, and to accede to literacy and higher schooling….a fine library provides opportunities for useful reading and reunions.” (Cicognani, op. cit.) ))
It provides counseling for community and individual development projects and programs.
It makes loans and grants for small businesses and self-help projects.
Collaboration and service
The Pontifical Mission collaborates in projects and programs with organizations committed to objectives similar to its own in order to achieve them more effectively while avoiding duplication and competition.((“We have followed with personal interest this activity in the various forms which it has taken to meet the grave and multiple needs of the refugees, often in coordination with the activity which other organizations, including those which are not Catholic, have commendably carried out” (Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, John G. Nolan, op. cit.) ))
It promotes effective coordination, especially in the Catholic world, among those organizations and associations concerned with assistance to the Middle East.((“…it has been decided to bring together under the Pontifical Mission…all those organizations and associations which are engaged in activities concerning the East, and which are scattered throughout many countries of Europe and other continents….” (Cicognani, op. cit.)
“We exhort relief agencies everywhere to assist your Mission in accomplishing its important work; and, in this regard, We address particularly those bodies to whom this appeal was made from the beginning: the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Relief Services – National Catholic Welfare Conference, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.” (Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, Joseph T. Ryan, op. cit.)
“…it will be necessary to promote in the Catholic world an effective collaboration between all the relief organizations concerned with Palestine.” (Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, John G. Nolan, op. cit.) ))
Advocacy and public awareness
The Pontifical Mission publicizes and arouses interest in the problems of the Middle East and in the needs and rights of the Palestinian and neighboring peoples by studies, publications, conferences, seminars, religious functions, and other means of social communication.(( “…this activity should consist in…publicizing and arousing interest in the problem of Palestine and the holy places, by studies, articles, conferences, religious functions, etc….” (Cicognani, op. cit.)
“We therefore exhort you and your collaborators to become the voice of those who are suffering, and to urge Christians to be generous witnesses of charity towards their Palestinian brethren of the Holy Land – as we have already indicated in our Exhortation Nobis in Animo – and to intensify their efforts for the worthy cause of assistance and development.” (Pope Paul VI, autographed letter to Our Beloved Son, John G. Nolan, op. cit.) ))
III. ADMINISTRATION
President
The president of the Pontifical Mission is appointed by the Holy Father. The president is the chief executive officer of the Pontifical Mission. He is responsible for supervising, directing, and furthering its activities and staff; for representing it vis-a-vis ecclesiastical and civil authorities; for soliciting funds for its operations; for improving and augmenting its projects; and for initiating others as needed.
Vice President
The Vice President is the chief operating officer of the Pontifical Mission. He is responsible for directing its operations, under the supervision of the President, in support of the approved mission, plans and policies. The Vice President guides and directs the regional office directors.
Regional Directors
Each regional office of the Pontifical Mission has a Regional Director who is appointed by the President to serve for such term as he may determine. Each regional director transacts, under the direction of the Vice President, all the routine business of the regional office and puts into effect the policies and regulations of the Pontifical Mission.
IV. OFFICES
Vatican office
As a specialized agency of the Holy See, the Pontifical Mission maintains a office in the Vatican.
New York office
Its principal administrative office is located within the Archdiocese of New York, attached to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
Regional offices
The Pontifical Mission has regional offices in places where it conducts its field activities. Presently it has offices in Beirut, Jerusalem, and Amman.