Most Rev. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, celebrated Mass at the Martyrs of Jordan Church on Sunday July 23, marking the conclusion of the 6th Canon Law Conference for lawyers which convened at the Movenpick Hotel, Dead Sea. The conference was attended by Catholic bishops, judges, lawyers and pastors from Jordan, Palestine, the Galilee, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and experts in law from Italy.
At the outset of the Mass, Fr. Hanna Kildani noted that courts of law are houses of mercy and wisdom. He also reviewed the stages that led to the construction of the Martyrs of Jordan Church, and added that the support presented by the people of Marj Al Hamam made the construction of the church possible.
In his homily, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop William Shomali shed light on the example of the Lord Jesus’ parable of seeds and weeds. He said that this parable indicates the patience of God on the wicked by waiting for the weed to turn into wheat and to have evil transformed into goodness, at a time when humans do not show any patience. He also mentioned that God is just, patient, and merciful.
At the end of the Mass, Most Rev. Archbishop Pizzaballa presented the participants with certificates acknowledging their participation in the conference.
