Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org
On Thursday, May 12, 2022, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem Cardinal Fernando Filoni presided at a Holy Mass in St. Paul Church in Jubaiha, which is located in Jubaiha, northwestern Amman, marking its inauguration.
The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop Jamal Daibes, emeritus Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, Charge d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Amman Monsignor Mauro Lalli, and a large number of believers.
After reading verses from the Holy Bible, Cardinal Filoni delivered an address in which he pointed out that the inauguration of the Church is a central moment in the life of the Christian community, because it stems from God's desire to be with His people and among them, as well as because the glory of God lies in the prayers performed by humans or a community.
He pointed out that Lord Jesus Christ had spoken about the importance of the new temple and that we should be the living stones within it. Therefore, the Order of the Holy Sepulcher responded to the growing spiritual and pastoral need of families living in the Jubeiha area to have a church that serves them. He thanked King Abdullah II, the Hashemite family, the civil authorities, and all the priests and nuns present for their pastoral care, service, and testimony to the Christian faith in the beloved Jordanian society.
Parish priest Fr. Samer Mdanat reflected on the inauguration of St. Paul Church stating that it is "a house built by God, not by man, and a house of love and peace, where those who are tired and weary from the hustles and bustles of life can enter into a spiritual life filled with calm and serenity.” He also conveyed well wishes to Bishop Jamal Daibes on his Episcopal ordination, and congratulated King Abdullah for receiving the Path to Peace Award which is affiliated with the Holy Mission in the United Nations in appreciation of his efforts aimed at encouraging interfaith dialogue and harmony. He added that "at the time when we saw the demolition and destruction of the churches of Lord Jesus Christ in some countries, we see the building and inauguration of churches in the homeland of the pioneering Hashemites.”
At the end of the Holy Mass, Patriarch Pizzaballa delivered an address in which he thanked Cardinal Filoni and the Order of the Holy Sepulcher for their generous service to the Church of the Holy Land, at a time when the new Church provides evidence of their effort to support the mission and projects of the Latin Patriarchate. He also addressed the parishioners of St. Paul Church in Jubaiha saying: "Without your continuous support, this project would not have started. Congratulations."