The Catholic Church originates in the area that is now Israel and the Palestinian Territories, tracing its origins to the local Church of Jerusalem described in the Acts of the Apostles, formed by the earliest followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who was born in Bethlehem, lived in the Galilee, and was crucified in Jerusalem. The Church of Jerusalem is considered the "mother church" of all Christianity.
Christianity's holiest shrine, the Church of the Resurrection, is located in Jerusalem, as are many of the sites associated with the life of Jesus and the earliest Christians.
There are approximately 200,000 Christians in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, representing about 1.5% of the total population. The largest Catholic Churches include 64,400 Greek Melkite Catholics, 32,200 Latin Catholics, and 11,270 Maronite Catholics.
Jurisdictions of seven of the Catholic Churches overlap in Israel: The Armenian, Chaldean, Greek Melkite, Latin (Roman), Maronite, and Syriac. The Coptic Catholic patriarchate also has representation here. In addition, the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, the Territorial Prelature of the Notre Dame Center of Jerusalem, and the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei have jurisdictional presence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The Holy See is represented by the Apostolic Nuncio in Jaffa-Tel Aviv for Israel and the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem for Palestine.
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., non-Arab converts to Catholicism of Hebrew descent, or Hebrew-speaking Catholics born to immigrant workers, often from the Philippines.
Latin Patriarchate of JerusalemArcheparchy of Jerusalem of the MelkitesMelkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of AkkaMaronite Catholic Archeparchy of Haifa and the Holy LandMaronite Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem, Jordan, and PalestineArmenian Patriarchal Exarchate of JerusalemSyriac Patriarchal Exarchate of JerusalemChaldean Patriarchal ExarchateThe 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 prelature of Opus Dei has a small regional vicariate in Jerusalem. Its members are under the jurisdiction of the prelature, though no territory is.Parishes and communities
There are currently 103 Catholic parishes in Israel and the Palestinian Territories:
43 Latin43 Greek Melkite14 Maronite2 Syrian1 ArmenianThere are additionally 8 language chaplaincies and 7 ethnic pastoral centers within the Latin Patriarchate:
4 Hebrew-speaking2 German-speaking1 English-speaking1 French-speaking2 Filipino communities2 Russian communities1 African community1 Polish community1 Romanian communityThe Holy See is currently represented by an Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and an Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem of Palestine. At this time, the same person fulfills both offices, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto. He also serves as Nuncio to Cyprus.
In June 1762, a diplomatic relationship was established in Ottoman Syria, including the region of Palestine.
In March 1929, the diplomatic brief for British Palestine was attached to the Delegate to Cairo.
On 11 February 1948, with the Papal brief Supreme Pastoris, Pope Pius XII erected the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem of Palestine, Transjordan and Cyprus.
In December 1993, the Holy See and the State of Israel formally established diplomatic relations, establishing the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel.
The Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land was established at the initiative of the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem to foster unity within the Catholic Churches of the Holy Land, in 1992.
The regional episcopal conference for the Latin bishops is the Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (CELRA), which was established in 1967.
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 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.
There are 1,764 members of religious orders and institutes of consecrated life in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
The oldest of these is the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, established as a province here in 1217.
They are represented by the Committee of the Religious Men of the Holy Land and the Union of Religious Superiors of Women in the Holy Land.
There are 540 male religious, representing the following congregations:
AssumptionistsBasiliansBenedictines Dormition AbbeyBenedictines OlivetanClerical Society of the Most Holy Trinity at MirinaeCongregation of Christian BrothersDiscalced CarmelitesFamilies of the VisitationHospitaller Order of St. John of GodInstitute of the Incarnate WordJesuitsLazaristsLegionaries of ChristLittle Brothers of JesusLittle Brothers of Jesus CaritasLittle Family of the AnnunciationMissionaries of Charity ContemplativeMonks of BethlehemOrder of Friars Minor CapuchinOrder of PreachersOrder of the Servants of MaryPassionistsReligious of Our Lady of SionSacred Heart Fathers of BetharramSalesians of Don BoscoServants of CharitySons of Divine ProvidenceTrappistsWhite FathersThere are 1079 female religious, from the following congregations:
There are 145 members of other institutes of consecrated life:
Association Fraternelle InternationaleBose Monastic CommunityChemin Neuf CommunityComunione e LiberazioneCommunity Cancao NovaCommunity Obra de MariaCommunity of Sant'EgidioCommunity of the BeatitudesEmmanuel CommunityFocolareKoinonia John the Baptist CommunityNeocatechumenal WayRegnum ChristiSermig Brotherhood of HopeShalom Catholic CommunityCatholic scouting and youth ministry
2500 members in 16 troops of the Catholic Scout Association in Israel2500 members in 12 troops of the Palestinian Catholic Scouts of Saint John the BaptistYoung Catholic Students (Jeunesse Etudiante Catholic)135 members of the Neocatechumenal Way16 members of Comunione e Liberazionemembers of the personal prelature of Opus DeiMedical and social services
There are:
9 charitable and humanitarian organizations7 hospitals7 centers for the disabled6 orphanages5 homes for the elderlyMilitary and hosptialler orders
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of JerusalemSovereign Military Order of MaltaUniversities and educational institutes
Studium Theologicum Jerosolymitanum, Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, founded 1866.École Biblique, Dominicans, founded 1920.Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Pontifical University Antonianum, Franciscans, founded 1924.College of Ancient Near East Studies of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Jesuits, founded 1927.Latin Patriarchal Seminary of Jerusalem, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, founded 1936.Tantur Ecumenical Institute, University of Notre Dame, founded 1972.Bethlehem University, Christian Brothers, founded 1973.German Institute of Biblical and Theological Studies, Dormition Abbey, Benedictines, founded 1973.Bat Kol Institute, Sisters of Sion, founded 1983Center for Biblical Formation, Ecce Homo, Sisters of Sion, founded 1984Institut Albert Decourtray for Studies in Judaism and Hebrew Literature, École cathédrale de Paris, founded 1991Studium Theologicum Galilaeae "Redemptoris Mater", Neocatechumenal Way, founded 2009.Polis Institute of Languages and Humanities, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Opus Dei, founded 2011.Studium Theologicum Salesianum, Salesian Pontifical University, Salesians of Don Bosco, founded 2011.There are, additionally, 71 primary and secondary schools
Christian Information Centre, founded 1973.Episcopal Commission for Christian PilgrimagesFranciscan Pilgrim's Office, founded 2009.Latin Patriarchate PilgrimagesShrines and holy sites
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, FranciscansCenacle, Jerusalem, FranciscansDominus Flevit, Jerusalem, FranciscansDormition Abbey, Jerusalem, BenedictinesFlagellation Church, Jerusalem, FranciscansGarden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, FranciscansPater Noster Church, Jerusalem,Carmelite NunsSt. Anne Church, Jerusalem, Missionaries of AfricaSt. Peter in Gallicantu, Jerusalem, AssumptionistsSt. Stephen Church, Jerusalem, DominicansVia Dolorosa 3rd Station, Jerusalem, Armenian CatholicsVia Dolorosa 4th Station, Jerusalem, Armenian CatholicsVia Dolorosa 5th Station, Jerusalem, FranciscansVia Dolorosa 6th Station, Jerusalem, Little Sisters of JesusVia Dolorosa 7th Station, Jerusalem, FranciscansEmmaus of the Crusaders, Abu Gosh, BenedictinesShepherd's Field, Beit Sahour, FranciscansSt. Lazarus, Bethany, FranciscansChurch of the Nativity, Bethlehem, FranciscansMilk Grotto, Bethlehem, FranciscansFirst Miracle Church, Cana, FranciscansHouse of Peter, Capernaum, FranciscansChurch of the Visitation, Ein Karem, FranciscansSt. John in the Desert, Ein Karem, FranciscansStella Maris, Haifa, CarmelitesBaptism of Our Lord, Jordan River, FranciscansEmmaus Nicoplis, Latrun, Betharram/BeatitudesDuc in Altum, Migdal, Legion of ChristSermon on the Mount, Mount of Beatitudes, Franciscan Sisters of IHMSacrifice of Elijah, Muhraqa, CarmelitesChurch of the Annunciation, Nazareth, FranciscansChurch of St. Joseph, Nazareth, FranciscansSynagogue, Nazareth, Greek Melkite CatholicsEmmaus Qubeibeh, Qubeibeh, FranciscansChurch of Nicodemus, Ramleh, FranciscansMultiplication of the Loaves, Tabgha, BenedictinesPrimacy of Peter, Tabgha, FranciscansTransfiguration, Mount Tabor, FranciscansHouse of Parables, Taybeh,Church of St. Peter, Tiberias, Koinonia Giovanni BattistaArmenian Guest HouseAustrian Hospice of the Holy FamilyCasa Nova, FranciscanDom Polski (Musrara)Dom Polski (Old City)Ecce Homo, Sisters of SionFranciscan Missionaries of MaryKnight's PalaceMaison d'AbrahamNotre Dame of Jerusalem CenterPaulus-HausRosary Sisters (Mamila)Rosary Sisters (Old City)Saint Charles German HospiceSaint Maroun GuesthouseSaint Thomas CenterTantur Ecumenical InstituteBetharram CenterCasa Nova, FranciscanCasa Nova - Orient PalaceFranciscan Missionaries of MarySaint Joseph HomeSaint Vincent Guest HousePilgrim's Shell, Equestrian Order of the Holy SepulchreJerusalem Pilgrim's Cross, Franciscan Custody of the Holy LandSaints and Martyrs
Mary of Nazareth, TheotokosMary Magdalen, Apostle to the ApostlesAndrew, ApostleBartholomew, ApostleMatthew, ApostleJude/Thaddeus, ApostleSimon the Canaanite, ApostleJames the Greater, Apostle, c.44James the Less, Apostle, c.62Thomas, Apostle, c.72Philip, Apostle, c.80John, Apostle, c.100James the Just, first Bishop of Jerusalem, c.69Simeon of Jerusalem, bishop, c.107Matthias of Jerusalem, bishop, c.120Narcissus of Jerusalem, bishop, c.216Alexander of Jerusalem. bishop, c.251Zamudas of Jerusalem, bishop, c.301Macarius of Jerusalem, bishop, c.333Maximus of Jerusalem, bishop, c.350Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, c.383Elias of Jerusalem, patriarch, c.518Zosimas of Palestine, monk, c.560 (Feast: 4 April)Sophronius of Jerusalem, patriarch, d.63833 Martyrs, c.70 (Feast: 16 August)Monks slain by Arab invaders, c.410 (Feast: 28 May)Hermits slain by Saracen invaders, c.509 (Feast: 19 February)1500 Martyrs of Samaria, c.614 (Feast: 22 June)44 hermits of St. Sabbas Monastery, c.614 (Feast: 16 May)The Bishops of Rome who were born in, or first ministered in, the Holy Land:
Saint Peter, Apostle, honored as first Bishop of Rome, c.64Pope Evaristus, c.99-107Pope Theodore I, 642-649Pope Urban IV, 1261-1264
