A number of institutions and organizations serve the Catholic community. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is the main Catholic institution in Israel, and it is responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Jordan. The patriarchate has a number of parishes, schools, and hospitals in the region, and it also operates the Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem, which showcases the history and culture of the Holy Land.
The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land is a Catholic religious order that is responsible for the care of the holy shrines in the Holy Land, such as the Church of the Holy SepulchreinJerusalem and the Church of the NativityinBethlehem. The Salesian Mission is another Catholic religious order that operates in Israel, particularly in the area of education and youth ministry.
In addition to these institutions, there are a number of Catholic organizations and charities that operate in Israel, such as the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which provides humanitarian assistance to Christians and other minority communities in the Middle East, and the Catholic Relief Services, which works on issues such as poverty, education and health.
At the start of the 21st century there were approximately 200,000 Christians in Israel[1] and the Palestinian territories,[2] representing about 1.5% of the total population. The largest Catholic Churches included 64,400 Greek Melkite Catholics, 32,200 Latin Catholics, and 11,270 Maronite Catholics.[3][4] By 2020, Catholics made up 1.27% of the population,[5] although some estimates were more than twice that.[6]
About 85% of the Catholics in Israel and the Palestinian territories are Arabic-speaking. In addition to a handful of chaplaincies for expatriate clergy, pilgrims, and workers, there is also a vicariate within the Latin Patriarchate ministering to Hebrew Catholics, i.e., converts to Catholicism of Jewish descent, or Hebrew-speaking Catholics born to immigrant workers, often from the Philippines.[9][failed verification]
The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land has care of most of the Christian holy sites and shrines under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church.
The Territorial Prelature of the Notre Dame Center of Jerusalem is considered an Ecumenical Holy Place and pilgrim hostel, under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy See, but in the care of the Legion of Christ since November 2004.
The Personal prelatureofOpus Dei has a small regional vicariate in Jerusalem. Its members are under the jurisdiction of the prelature, though no territory is.[14]
The Holy See is currently represented by an Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and an Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine. Since 1994, the same person serves in both offices, and also serves as Nuncio to Cyprus. Since 3 June 2021, Adolfo Tito Yllana has served in both offices.[15]
In June 1762, a diplomatic relationship was established in Ottoman Syria, which also included the region of Palestine.[16]
In March 1929, the diplomatic brief for British Palestine was attached to the Delegate to Cairo.[citation needed]
On 11 February 1948, with the Papal briefSupreme Pastoris, Pope Pius XII erected the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem and Palestine, Transjordan and Cyprus.[17]
The Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land was established in 1992 at the initiative of the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem to foster unity within the Catholic Churches of the Holy Land.
The Middle East Council of Churches represents 14 million Christians in the Middle East, covering 14 countries and including representatives from 27 churches or jurisdictions (3 Oriental Orthodox, 4 Eastern Orthodox, 7 Catholic, and 13 Protestant/Evangelical).
The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem[19] is a gathering of the patriarchs and other ordinaries of 13 of the local Christian churches in Jerusalem, including Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Latin Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.
Church of the Resurrection, Jerusalem - Franciscans share custody of Christianity's holiest site along with the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syriac Orthodox Churches.
Bethphage, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Cenacle, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Dominus Flevit, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Dormition Abbey, Jerusalem, Benedictines
Flagellation Church, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Pater Noster Church, Jerusalem, Carmelite Nuns
St. Anne Church, Jerusalem, Missionaries of Africa
St. Peter in Gallicantu, Jerusalem, Assumptionists
St. Stephen Church, Jerusalem, Dominicans
Via Dolorosa 3rd Station, Jerusalem, Armenian Catholics
Via Dolorosa 4th Station, Jerusalem, Armenian Catholics
Via Dolorosa 5th Station, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Via Dolorosa 6th Station, Jerusalem, Little Sisters of Jesus
Via Dolorosa 7th Station, Jerusalem, Franciscans
Emmaus of the Crusaders, Abu Gosh, Benedictines
Shepherd's Field, Beit Sahour, Franciscans
St. Lazarus, Bethany, Franciscans
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Franciscans
Milk Grotto, Bethlehem, Franciscans
First Miracle Church, Cana, Franciscans
House of Peter, Capernaum, Franciscans
Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Franciscans
St. John in the Desert, Ein Karem, Franciscans
Stella Maris, Haifa, Carmelites
Baptism of Our Lord, Jordan River, Franciscans
Emmaus Nicoplis, Latrun, Betharram/Beatitudes
Duc in Altum, Migdal, Legion of Christ
Sermon on the Mount, Mount of Beatitudes, Franciscan Sisters of IHM
