May world leaders adopt the “Jubilee model” for improved relations between countries. This is the hope of Franciscan Father Antoine Alan, Vicar General of the Latin Church in Egypt, who is currently accompanying what he described as an “international” group of young people to Rome. Father Antoine feels the strain of a North African nation surrounded by armed strife. “We are here to rediscover our faith, for personal growth, so that we may return to Egypt with renewed hope. We are participating on behalf of our brothers who were unable to join us. We hope that this experience will inspire many others to rediscover their faith.” Father Antoine speaks for the whole group. “We can’t wait to accompany the Pope to the Saturday prayer vigil,” he says. “We are among those who will open the Jubilee.” And it is no coincidence. “We have come from a biblical land that is currently surrounded by turmoil” he says. “Gaza and the tormented Holy Land are located to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south. That’s why there are refugees among us. We have experienced difficult situations and we carry these concerns in our hearts.” The Jubilee is also an opportunity to raise awareness among young Europeans (and others who do not live in that part of the world) of the significant Christian presence in the Middle East and North Africa.
“I sometimes meet young people who are unaware of the presence of Christians in Egypt. This ignorance hurts more than fundamentalism,” said the Franciscan friar in a recent speech.
Today in Rome, his gaze is fixed on the future and the urgent need for peaceful reconciliation. “We will pray for peace throughout the world,” he said. “War has no reason to exist and only brings destruction. In war, everyone loses. I am hopeful that, upon returning home, we will bear even greater witness to peace.” Due to its strategic geographical location and its Rafah border crossing with Gaza, Egypt is a beacon of light and hope for the people of Gaza. With the support of the international community, Egypt and Jordan continued to send humanitarian aid and medical personnel to alleviate the Palestinians’ suffering.
The priest firmly believes that the Jubilee of Hope, which brings so many young people to Rome allowing them to forge bonds of friendship, is a “model for the world.”
“If love reigns,” he says, “it will cast out hatred and violence. This Jubilee pilgrimage serves as a role model: we teach them to be agents of peace in their communities, and once they return home, they will sow the seeds of peace.”
