Published: 2024-11-13

The Work of St. James the Apostle

The Founding of the Hebrew-Speaking Church in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Andrzej Tulej
Collectanea Theologica
Section: Articles
https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2024.94.4.05

Abstract

The State of Israel, established in May 1948, defined a new legal framework for the Churches located on its territory. The Declaration of Independence guaranteed freedom of religion and worship for all citizens. From the very beginning, however, there was a problem with regard to the Jews who had converted to Christianity and who had to be given pastoral care, also using Hebrew in the liturgy. Among the pioneers were Fathers Jean-Roger Héné AA, Joseph Stiassny NCD and Bruno Hussar OP. A certain reluctance on the part of the Arab and European clergy was overcome by the support from both the local hierarchy and the Vatican. On 11th February 1955, the Work of St. James was approved ad experimentum ad annum, and after a year of probation, on 11th February 1956, the Patriarch approved its statutes. The pioneers of the Work saw in this event a return to the beginning, when the first ecclesial community was the Judeo-Christian community in Jerusalem. This attempt to reconstruct the early Church was intended to restore the Hebrew element lost in the historical development of the Church. The issue to be resolved is its shape and the way it is implemented.

Keywords:

Catholic Church, Jerusalem Patriarchate, Custody of the Holy Land, Christian–Jewish relations, State of Israel

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Tulej, A. (2024). The Work of St. James the Apostle: The Founding of the Hebrew-Speaking Church in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Collectanea Theologica, 94(4), 143–166. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2024.94.4.05

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