Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

(under the benign protection of the holy see)

Lieutenancy, Canada – Vancouver

February 3, 2006

Lieutenant

H.E. Dr. Declan P. Lawlor. KGCHS.

REFLECTION

A singularity that distinguishes Christianity among the major religions of the world is that God, the Supreme Being, the God of Christianity has a human face.   He was a human person.   In His lifetime on earth He made a promise to those people involved in peace.   It is submitted that Christian education in the context of the Gospels promotes peace.

We are pleased with the opportunity to provide information about the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and the Lieutenancy in Western Canada. 

The primary focus of our Lieutenancy is the Spiritual development of our members and an intense fraternity, which expresses itself in sustaining the Christian presence in the Holy Land.   It was St. Paul who first asked that support be sent to poor Christians in Jerusalem.   This is an apostolic tradition.    (Romans 15:25-27. 1Corinthians 16: 1-4).

The Christian peoples in the Holy Land trace their heritage and lineage back many centuries.   It is quite likely that they are direct descendants of the first Christian communities.   They are not converts, as the sanction of capital punishment is very real for the convert from Islam to Christianity. 

Countless millions of Jews, Christians and Muslims throughout the world look to Jerusalem as a place of holiness, a part of their spiritual heritage.

This land has endured most of the world’s conquerors at various epochs in history.   Today two peoples claim sovereignty over Jerusalem.

The crisis in the Holy Land is of concern to all people of goodwill and is of particular concern to the Christian people worldwide as their brothers and sisters are oppressed in their homeland, even in their own hometown of Jerusalem.   Many Christians see Jerusalem as their Spiritual hometown.

The educational role of Christians in the Holy Land is important, as the Christian believes in forgiveness.   To achieve justice forgiveness is necessary.

The membership of this Lieutenancy has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing for the educational needs and spiritual nourishment of the local Christian children in Beit Sahour – the Shepherd’s Field – beside Bethlehem.

It is our fervent and tangible hope that the Christian education in our schools will enlighten the boys and girls of today, prepare the leaders of tomorrow, and help lead the journey towards peace.   A peace, which is of justice and a justice, which includes in its essence forgiveness and reconciliation. We look forward to a new generation of peacemakers.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Luke 5:9).