Where God is born, hope is born. He brings hope. Where God is born, peace is born. And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war.
--Pope Francis, 25 December 2015
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is committed to working for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and to promoting the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Through prayer, pilgrimage, relief and development projects, and public actions, the USCCB is dedicated to a two-state solution: a secure and recognized Israel living in peace alongside a viable and independent Palestine.
Happening Now
U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for International Justice and Peace Renews Prayers for Israel and Palestine Amidst Recent Violence
Bishop David J. Malloy, May 13, 2021
2021 Holy Land Coordination Communiqué
January 22, 2021
Advocacy to Support Peace in the Holy Land
2021
U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for International Justice and Peace Renews Prayers for Israel and Palestine Amidst Recent Violence
Bishop David J. Malloy, May 13, 2021
2021 Holy Land Coordination Communiqué
January 22, 2021
2020
Statement on the Normalization of Israel and United Arab Emirates Relations
Bishop David J. Malloy, August 20, 2020
Statement Upon Release of Trump Administration’s “Peace to Prosperity” Plan
Bishop David J. Malloy, February 4, 2020
Letter to Secretary of State Regarding "Peace to Prosperity" Proposal
On February 3, 2020, Bishop David J. Malloy writes to Secretary of State Pompeo concerning the Administrations recently released "Peace to Prosperity" proposal.
Holy Land Coordination 2020 Communiqué - We Must Not Ignore the Voice of People in the Holy Land
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, January 2020
2019
President's Announcement Concerning Establishment of Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
On November 22, 2019, Bishop David J. Malloy writes to Secretary of State Pompeo to express deep concern over the recent announcement that the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not per se inconsistent with international law.
Concern for the Dire Situation of the Hospitals in East Jerusalem
In October of 2019, Archbishop Broglio and Bishop Bambera along with Bishop Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Bishop Curry of The Episcopal Church write to President Trump to call to his attention their grave concern for the dire situation of the hospitals in East Jerusalem and to request a meeting to discuss the Administration's decision to halt humanitarian assistance.
President's Proclamation on Recognizing the Golan Heights as Part of the State of Israel
In a letter to Secretary of State Pompeo, Archbishop Broglio expresses deep concern over the President's March 25 Proclamation on Recognizing the Golan Heights as Part of the State of Israel and the dangerous precedent it sets.
Backgrounder on Two State Solution in the Holy Land
February 2019
2018
Letter to Administration Urging Reinstatement of U.S. Funding for Basic Human Needs to Palestinians
In an October 23, 2018 joint letter to Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio and Mr. Sean Callahan of Catholic Relief Service write to urge the Administration to reinstate funding for basic human needs of Palestinians.
U.S. Humanitarian Assistance to Hospitals in East Jerusalem
Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio join Bishops from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA Conference of Bishops, and The Episcopal Church in writing to the Administration in November of 2018 to express grave concern about the apparent decision to halt further U.S. humanitarian assistance to hospitals in East Jerusalem.
U.S. Church Leaders in Express Strong Concern Over Israel's Plan to Tax Church-owned Real Estate
On March 13, 2018, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo joins other leaders from the U.S. Episcopal, Lutheran and Armenian Churches in urging Israel to not confiscate church lands or tax church properties.
Bridges, Not Walls: Hispanic Bishops' Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land, January 18-27, 2018
Bridges, Not Walls: Reflections of the Bishops' Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land
Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop Nelson Jesus Perez, Bishop José A. Cepeda, Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Bishop Felipe de Jesús Estévez, Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa, Bishop Rutilio del Riego, Bishop Alberto Rojas, and Bishop Plácido Rodriguez
January 18-27, 2018
Homily: Holy Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane
Bishop Plácido Rodriguez, January 22, 2018
Statement of the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land
Bishop Oscar Cantú, January 18, 2018
Letter Imploring Secretary of State Tillerson to Maintain the U.S. Embassy in Tel-Aviv
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, January 5, 2018
2017
NILI Letter to the President: Jewish, Christian and Muslim National Religious Leaders Unite for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
July 19, 2017
Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson on Israel and Palestine
Bishop Oscar Cantú, February 1, 2017
Statement of the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land
Bishop Oscar Cantú, January 18, 2017
2016
Letter to Secretary of State Kerry Regarding Injustices Against Palestinians in West Bank Village of Susya
Bishop Oscar Cantú, September 15, 2016
Pursuing Peace and Strengthening Presence: The Atlanta Summit of Churches in the USA and the Holy Land
Signers include: Patriarch Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; Bishop Oscar Cantú, Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace, USCCB
April 20, 2016
Letter to National Security Advisor Rice Urging Renewed Efforts to Achieve a Peace Agreement
Bishop Oscar Cantú, January 20, 2016
Statement of the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land
January 14, 2016
2015
Letter to Ambassador Dermer Concerning the Christian Schools in Israel
Bishop Oscar Cantú, September 22, 2015
Letter to Secretary Kerry Protesting Israeli Confiscation of Cremisan Valley Land
Bishop Oscar Canú, August 24, 2015
Backgrounder on Israel and Palestine
September 2015
Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding the Cremisan Valley
Bishop Oscar Cantú, February 11, 2015
NILI Letter to President Obama
January 21, 2015
Statement of the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land
Bishop Oscar Cantú, January 15, 2015
Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding the Cremisan Valley
Bishop Oscar Cantú, January 15, 2015
Letter to Ambassador Dermer Concerning the Christian Schools in Israel
Bishop Oscar Cantú, September 22, 2015
2014
Letter to Ambassador of Israel to the Unites States Conveying Condolences for the Synagogue Attack at Har Nof
Bishop Oscar Cantú, November 20, 2014
Communiqué: Bishops' Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land
September 22, 2014
Jewish, Christian and Muslim Religious Leaders Welcome Gaza Ceasefire, Call for Peace
August 14, 2014
Communiqué: Bishop's Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land │ News Release
September 22, 2014
Letter to Congress Urging Support for a Ceasefire and Humanitarian Assistance for Gaza
Bishop Richard E. Pates and Dr. Carolyn Woo, July 23, 2014
Letter to Secretary of State Kerry Regarding Humanitarian and Development Assistance to Gaza
Bishop Richard E. Pates, July 20, 2014
Letter to Secretary Kerry on Israel and Palestine
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East
May 20, 2014
Letter to President Obama Regarding Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz and Bishop Richard E. Pates, March 12, 2014
Letter to Secretary Kerry on Israel and Palestine
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East
February 28, 2014
Background on the Middle East
January 2014
Bishops Urge Action on Confiscation of Cremisan Valley
Bishop Richard E. Pates, January 28, 2014
Communiqué of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land
Bishop Richard E. Pates, January 15, 2014
2013 and Earlier
Interreligious Leaders to Secretary Kerry and Congress on Middle East Peace
July 26, 2013
Letter to President Obama on Nuclear Disarmament and on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Bishop Richard E. Pates, June 25, 2013
Letter Commending Secretary Kerry on Holy Land Initiative
Bishop Richard E. Pates, May 21, 2013
Letter to Secretary of State Kerry on Cremisan Valley in the Holy Land
Bishop Richard E. Pates, May 6, 2013
Interreligious Leaders' Statement: Twilight of Hope for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
January 2013
Communique of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, January 10, 2013
Letter to President Obama regarding Israel and Palestine
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Richard Pates, January 9, 2013
Letter to President on Peace in the Middle East
Christian leaders, including Bishop Richard E. Pates, January 7, 2013
Letter to Congress on Palestinian Assistance and UN Vote
Bishop Richard E. Pates, December 3, 2012
Letter to National Security Advisor on Gaza and Southern Israel
Bishop Richard E. Pates, November 20, 2012
Letter to Secretary of State Clinton on Israel and Palestine
Bishop Richard E. Pates, November 8, 2012
Letter to Patriarch Twal on Anti-Christian Incident at Monastery
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Richard Pates, September 7, 2012
Statement on Anti-Christian Incident at Monastery Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land
September 4, 2012
Letter to Secretary of State Clinton on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Bishop Richard E. Pates, July 13, 2012
Statement on Peace in the Middle East
USCCB Administrative Committee, March 14, 2012
NILI Statement on Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, March 1, 2012
Background on the Holy Land
February 2012
Communiqué of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy land
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, January 12, 2012
Religious Leaders Urge Strong U.S. Leadership for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East,
May 20, 2011
Religious Leaders Urge President to Pursue Israeli-Palestinian Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East,
April 14, 2011
Interreligious Statement: New Hope for the Peace of Jerusalem
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, September 29, 2010
Ecumenical Letter Supporting U.S. Leadership for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and Ken Hackett, April 5, 2010
The Courage to Achieve Peace in the Holy Land
Communiqué of the Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land, January 14, 2010
NILI Delegation Trip Report
December 30, 2009
Letter in Support of a Comprehensive Middle East Peace
September 22, 2009
Ecumenical Letter to Secretary of State Clinton on Sheikh Jarrah Evictions
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, Churches for Middle East Peace, August 7, 2009
Action Alert - Support Bold Action for Peace in the Holy Land
June 9, 2009
Ecumenical Letter to President Obama on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, June 4, 2009
Letter to President Obama on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, May 17, 2009
Letter to President Obama on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, January 27, 2009
Communiqué: Stop the Violence, Start Building Peace
Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land, January 15, 2009
Letter to Secretary of State Rice on Gaza Violence
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, December 30, 2008
Window of Hope for the Peace of Jerusalem:
Jewish, Christian and Muslim Religious Leaders Call for Urgent U.S. Leadership
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, December 4, 2008
Letter to President-elect Obama on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, December 1, 2008
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative Letter to Secretary of State Rice
March 20, 2008
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative Letter to President Bush
January 30, 2008
Speaking a Word of Hope at a Critical Time for the Holy Land
Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land, January 16, 2008
Call for Prayer on Eve of Peace Conference
Cardinal Francis George, November 21, 2007
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative Letter to Secretary of State Rice
November 1, 2007
Letter to U.S. Senate Supporting Resolution 224 on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, June 12, 2007
Letter to Israeli Foreign Minister Regarding the Fundamental Agreement
Bishop William S. Skylstad, April 19, 2007
Ecumenical Letter to President Bush
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, January 23, 2007
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East Statement, Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From Crisis to Hope
December 12, 2006
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative Letter to Secretary of State Rice
December 12, 2006
Letter to Congress on Cycle of Violence in the Middle East
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, July 20, 2006
Letter to All Bishops Declaring July 23 to be a Day of Prayer for Peace
Bishop William S. Skylstad, July 20, 2006
Letter of Solidarity to Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Bishop William S. Skylstad, July 14, 2006
Statements of the Holy See and Churches in the Holy Land
July 2006
Break the Cycle of Violence in the Holy Land
Bishop Thomas Wenski, July 17, 2006
Letter to Senator Lugar on Palestinian Aid and Engagement Issues
Bishop Thomas Wenski, May 25, 2006
Letter to Chairman Henry Hyde on the Amendment to the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006
Bishop Thomas Wenski, April 6, 2006
Letter to Chairman Henry Hyde on Palestinian Aid
Bishop Thomas Wenski, March 1, 2006
Appeal to the President to Make Israeli-Palestinian Peace a Priority of U.S. Policy
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, February 28, 2006
Catholic Bishops Meeting in Holy Land Issue Call for Justice
January 19, 2006
Campaign for American Leadership in the Middle East
November 23, 2005
Statement Protesting Iranian President's Remarks on Israel
Bishop John H. Ricard, October 31, 2005
Letter to President Bush on Commitment to Achieving Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative, April 14, 2005
Statement on the Developments in the Middle East
Bishop John H. Ricard, February 10, 2005
Letter to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Designate, on Negotiations Between Israel and the Holy See
Bishop William S. Skylstad, January 18, 2005
Letter to Ambassador Daniel Ayalon on Negotiations Between Israel and the Holy See
Bishop William S. Skylstad, January 18, 2005
Remarks at the National Press Club on Peace for the Middle East
William Cardinal Keeler, January 13, 2005
USCCB President Addresses Presidents of Israel and the Palestinian Authority
Bishop William S. Skylstad, January 11-13, 2005
Remarks in the Holy Land to Presidents of Israel and the Palestinian Authority
Bishop William S. Skylstad, January 11, 2005
Letter to President Bush on the Death of Yasser Arafat
Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, November 11, 2004
A Moment for Peace in the Middle East: A Statement on the Death of Yasser Arafat
Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, November 11, 2004
Press Release: Religious Leaders Urge Administration for Full Implementation of the Road Map to Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East, June 1, 2004
Urgent Appeal to U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
National Interreligious Leadership Delegation, June 1, 2004
Statement Concerning U.S. Support for Sharon Initiative
Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, April 26, 2004
Letter to President George W. Bush on Deteriorating Situation in the Holy Land
Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, April 13, 2004
Message from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday
April 11, 2004
Letter to Ambassador Ayalon on Visas for Church Personnel in the Holy Land
Bishop John H. Ricard and William Cardinal Keeler, April 7, 2004
Urgent Need for Peace Highlighted by Catholic Bishops' Meeting
January 15, 2004
Urgent Steps for Peace | List of Signatories
December 2, 2003
Remarks at Press Conference on National Interreligious Leadership Initiative
December 2, 2003
Congressional letter in support of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative
December 3, 2003
Letter to President Bush on National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative, November 25, 2003
Statement on the Separation Wall
Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, August 26, 2003
Letter to President Bush on the Road Map for Peace in the Middle East
Bishop Wilton Gregory, May 30, 2003
Letter to Ambassador Daniel Ayalon on Extension of the Security Wall
Bishop John H. Ricard, March 14, 2003
Letter to Ambassador Daniel Ayalon on Difficulties Obtaining Visas and Work Permits
Bishop John H. Ricard, January 15, 2003
Christian, Jewish and Muslim Leaders Unite To Urge Active U.S. Leadership in Pursuit of Middle East Peace
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative, June 2003
Letter to Latin Patriarch Sabbah on Special Observance on Mount Zion
Bishop Wilton Gregory, May 16, 2002
Statement on the Church of the Nativity
Bishop Wilton Gregory, May 10, 2002
Letter to President Bush on Escalating Violence in the Holy Land
Bishop Wilton Gregory, April 10, 2002
President's Statement on the Middle East
Bishop Wilton Gregory, April 2, 2002
Statement on Israeli-Palestinian Violence
Administrative Committee, March 13, 2002
Statement on Nazareth Mosque
Bishop Wilton Gregory, March 6, 2002
Statement on the Nazareth Mosque
Bishop Wilton Gregory, February 6, 2002
A Message to the Christians of the Holy Land from the Visiting Bishops of Europe and North America
January 24, 2002
Letter to Ariel Sharon regarding Nazareth Mosque
January 23, 2002
Statement on Nazareth Mosque
Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, January 9, 2002
Letter to Ambassador David Ivry
Bernard Cardinal Law, December 4, 2001
Letter to Abdel Raham
Bernard Cardinal Law, December 4, 2001
Statement at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Cardinal Bernard Law, December 2, 2001
Statement on Bethlehem
Bernard Cardinal Law, October 24, 2001
Resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001
Letter to Ambassador of Israel David Ivry
Cardinal Bernard Law, December 18, 2000
Letter to Ambassador of Israel David Ivry
Cardinal Bernard Law, November 22, 2000
Letter to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Cardinal Bernard Law, November 22, 2000
Returning to the Path of Peace in the Middle East
United States Catholic Conference, November 15, 2000
Letter to Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, November 13, 2000
Wounded Peace: Conflict in the Holy Land
Cardinal Bernard Law, October 16, 2000
Address to the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation
October 21, 2000
Address on the Question of Jerusalem
Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, March 10, 1999
Report on the Symposium of Bishops Conferences on Jerusalem
November 17, 1998
The Future of Jerusalem: Some Clarifications
November 17, 1998
Backgrounder and Summary Timeline on the Crisis in Nazareth
November 1999
Letter to President Clinton on the Crisis in Nazareth
Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, October 29, 1999
Letter to Ambassador of Israel Zalman Shoval on the Nazareth Mosque
Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, October 21, 1999
Toward Peace in the Middle East: Perspectives, Principles, and Hopes
National Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 9, 1989