Holy Land: donation for the restoration of the Holy Sepulcher and the Nativity

The Holy See has offered a “substantial donation” to contribute to the restoration work in progress both at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, and at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

This was confirmed to Agenzia Fides by diplomat Issa Amil Kassissieh, ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Holy See. The Holy See’s contribution was confirmed to the ambassador to Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of theCongregation for the Oriental Churches, during a meeting in the Vatican on Monday, 27thFebruary 2017.

The restoration of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, began in 2013, and is a collaboration between the three religious communities (Greek Orthodox, Armenians and Franciscans of the Custody) who have specific rights and properties over the church, regulated by the Status quo.

The works on the Edicule of the Holy Sepulcher began on May 8, 2016. Also at the Holy Sepulcher, the redevelopment project, with a cost of 3.3 million dollars, is supported by the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

In April 2016, the King of Jordan Abdallah II had already sent a substantial personal donation to the project in the form of "royal charity".

In October 2016, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas also offered a donation as a “personal contribution” to support the restoration of the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher.