The Jubilee Year, a time traditionally associated with forgiveness and renewal, inspired the decision to forgive all outstanding debts owed by families to the Latin Patriarchate’s schools.
Newsroom (17/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has announced a sweeping initiative to forgive all outstanding debts owed by families to the Latin Patriarchate’s schools for years prior to the 2024-2025 academic year. The decision, detailed in a letter published on the patriarchate’s website on September 17, 2025, and dated September 14, coinciding with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, marks a significant gesture of mercy during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
The letter, addressed to the faithful of the diocese, reflects a collective decision made with the Patriarchal Vicars and school directors across Palestine, Israel, and Jordan. “We understood as a diocese that we too must do our part through a concrete sign,” Cardinal Pizzaballa wrote, emphasizing the need for tangible acts of solidarity amid ongoing regional conflict. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens of families grappling with economic hardship exacerbated by war and violence.
“This was not an easy decision,” the cardinal noted, acknowledging the escalating violence that has strained communities and institutions. “Perhaps it is precisely the dramatic situation in which we live… that allows us better than others not to lose ourselves in petty and short-sighted considerations, but to focus on the essentials of life in our relationship with God and in the life of the world.”
The Jubilee Year, a time traditionally associated with forgiveness and renewal, inspired the decision. Drawing on biblical principles, Cardinal Pizzaballa referenced the Gospel parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35), underscoring that spiritual renewal must be accompanied by restored human relationships. “The Jubilee must also be an opportunity to promote and demand justice, equity, and, above all, solidarity,” he wrote.
The Latin Patriarchate’s 43 schools, spread across Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, serve 19,000 students from diverse Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Druze backgrounds. Established in 1847 to educate young Christians in Palestinian towns, these schools have since become beacons of academic excellence and interfaith dialogue. Despite challenges, including funding cuts from the Israeli government and incidents of violence—such as gunfire targeting schools in 2023—the institutions have maintained high standards. In 2020, over 95% of students passed the Tawjihi, the general secondary school certification exams, a testament to their educational quality.
While some school facilities require renovation, their teaching methods, sports programs, and cultural activities remain innovative. The patriarchate employs approximately 1,800 educators and staff, with tuition subsidies provided to support low-income families and deserving students.
Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized that the debt forgiveness is not merely a financial relief measure but a call to responsibility. “The forgiveness of these debts does not release anyone from their responsibilities, not even families, in their obligations to schools,” he wrote. The gesture, he hopes, will restore confidence and hope among struggling families while reinforcing the Jubilee’s themes of forgiveness and accountability.
As the Holy Land navigates a complex landscape of conflict and economic strain, the Latin Patriarchate’s decision stands as a powerful act of compassion, aligning with the Jubilee’s call for mercy and renewal.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from asianews.it
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