Although Christians have lived in the Middle East — the birthplace of Christianity — for nearly 2,000 years, as a result of years of persecution and discrimination, especially in the past 15 years, they now constitute no more than 3-4 percent of the region’s population, down from 20 percent a century ago. Christians are not the only minority being discriminated against in this region, but their plight is more visible in many places. Unfortunately, given the turmoil in the Middle East and the rise of Islamic extremism, with few exceptions Christians and other minorities may no longer be able to live in harmony with their largely Muslim neighbors.
The rise of Islamic extremism has been a singular driving force in the plight of religious minorities. The resurfacing of religious division vis-à-vis the Sunni-Shia conflict, and between different Sunni sects, is creating a societal mindset that posits other religious groups as “the enemy.” Groups like al-Qaeda and Isis exploit this intolerance of religious and inter-religious out-groups, with the latter taking such fanaticism to new and barbaric heights.
Recently, I learned of a horrific story that centered on a persecuted Christian family that lived in the Holy Land. Islamic extremists, who were members of Isis, forced themselves into the home of this Christian family, and found a Christian mother holding her infant child. They demanded she renounce Jesus as her God. When she responded, “How could I renounce Jesus as the God of my life,” they immediately killed the child by grasping the infant from the Mother’s arms, and smashing the child to the ground, killing the child instantly. Perhaps the story might seem surreal to the reader, but this is the plight of Christians in the Holy Land and surrounding holy places. If you were the mother, how would you have responded? More important, now that you are aware of the plight of Christians in the Holy Land, what will you do to help?
On Oct. 21, 10 members from the Diocese of Camden decided to answer that question by joining the Papal Order known as the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In a ceremony held at Saint Patrick Cathedral, these members along with 61 others from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, committed to make a difference for Christians in the Holy Land.
The historical origins of the Order are traced back (according to an undocumented tradition) to the First Crusade. Throughout the years, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre defended the Shrines in the Holy Land. Today the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem make a strong commitment to provide for the needs of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and of all the activities and initiatives to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
The Order’s aims are to strengthen in its members’ the practice of Christian life, in absolute fidelity to the Supreme Pontiff and according to the teachings of the church, observing as its foundation the principles of charity which make the Order a fundamental means of assistance to the Holy Land. The Order aims to sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, particularly those sponsored by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, with which the Order maintains traditional ties.
Further, the Order supports the preservation and propagation of the Faith in the Holy land, works tirelessly to uphold the rights of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land. The Order is represented in almost every country in the world.
The principal celebrant at this weekend’s investiture ceremony and Mass was Bishop Dennis Sullivan, who challenged the new members to recognize that “they now belong to another family tree — the long line of Knights and Ladies who have made a commitment for life; the commitment to be a witness to the faith and to lead an exemplary Christian life of continuing charity in support of the Christian communities in the Holy Land.”
The purpose of joining the Order is not to become a member of a prestigious organization in order to boast of one’s statues or acquire personal benefits and advantages but to serve the Catholic Church and to carry out acts of charity to maintain the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
To obtain more information about the Order, please visit their website at www.HolySepulchreny.org or contact Rev. Msgr. Louis Marucci, the coordinator for the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, in the Diocese of Camden at MsgrMarucci@ChurchOfStAndrews.org.
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