Cardinal Parolin to inaugurate Church of the Baptism of the Lord in Jordan
Pope Francis appoints the Vatican Secretary of State as papal legate for the consecration of a new church on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, the site of Jesus’ baptism.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis has written a letter to the Vatican secretary of state as he prepares to travel to Jordan to inaugurate the Church of the Baptism of the Lord.
“God did not want to sanctify and save men individually and without any connection between them, but he wanted to make them a people who would recognize him in the truth and serve him in holiness,” the pope wrote, quoting Lumen Gentium, to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, appointed papal legate for the consecration of the church.
The ceremony, scheduled for Friday, January 10, marks the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s annual pilgrimage to the site of Jesus’ baptism.
The Cardinal will preside over the dedication mass and inauguration of the new church at the baptism site on the banks of the Jordan (Al-Maghtas). Among the concelebrants will be Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land from all Latin and Catholic Churches will also participate in the mass.
In his letter, the Pope highlighted how Christians in Jordan eagerly await the solemn consecration of the Church of the Baptism of Jesus, whose construction took almost 15 years, a testimony to the love of the Church for this community of believers.
Pope Francis then invited Cardinal Parolin to encourage Jordanian Christians to imitate Christ ever more, to bear witness with renewed strength to the living hope that is born from faith and to love their neighbor.
Finally, he asks Cardinal Parolin to convey his greetings to all participants in the event, not only to the Catholics present but also to the civil authorities, believers of other religions and all those who promote the mission of the Church, religious freedom, world peace and dignity. of the human person.
The first stone of the church was laid by Pope Benedict XVI on May 10, 2009. It was built under the direction and donation of the “Knight of the Holy Sepulchre” Nadim Muasher, who built it in memory of his son Ayman, who tragically died. in a car accident near the baptism site.