Taybeh – Nabd El-Haya – Father Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of the Latin Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, received the Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Palestine and Chairwoman of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, Ms. Michele Burke Bowe, during her visit to the town, accompanied by Mr. Mohammad Jaradat, advisor and assistant to the Ambassador, and Justin Morton Carpentier, Lawyer and donor>
During the meeting, Father Fawadleh briefed the Ambassador on the overall security, economic, and social conditions in Taybeh and the surrounding villages, amid years of increasing restrictions, repeated settler attacks, declining employment opportunities, and accumulated pressures imposed by the occupation, which directly affect the stability of residents and their ability to remain on their land.
The discussion also addressed the tangible daily impacts of these challenges on local life, particularly on youth and families, including limited job opportunities, a shrinking economic horizon, and growing social and living difficulties.
Father Fawadleh further highlighted the pastoral and social role played by the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, as well as the activities of the Taybeh Latin parish and convent. These include religious, educational, and youth programs, cultural and community events, and support initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of residents and preserving the town’s social fabric and Christian identity, noting that Taybeh remains the last entirely Christian-inhabited town in the West Bank.
For her part, Ambassador Burke Bowe listened attentively to the presentation and reaffirmed the Order of Malta’s commitment to continuing support for the local community in Palestine, guided by its humanitarian mission and focus on the sectors most in need, including healthcare, women, children, and vulnerable groups. She emphasized the importance of partnership with the Church and local institutions to ensure a practical and sustainable response to people’s needs, free from political considerations.
The two sides also discussed ways to enhance future cooperation and explore forms of support that serve the residents of Taybeh and the surrounding area, within a comprehensive approach that addresses current challenges, strengthens human and community presence on the land, and preserves human dignity and the right to live in safety and stability.
The visit included a field tour of several religious and heritage sites in the town, including the Latin Church of Christ the Redeemer, the Parables House, the Charles de Foucauld House, and the historic Church of St. George, where the Ambassador and her delegation received explanations from Sanad Sahelia about the history of these places, their spiritual and cultural significance, and their deep connection to the ecclesiastical heritage and local traditions of Taybeh, as living components of the area’s religious and historical memory.
It is worth noting that the Order of Malta traces its origins to 11th-century Jerusalem, where it was founded to serve pilgrims and care for the sick, before evolving into a sovereign Catholic humanitarian institution with diplomatic relations with around 160 countries and field operations in over 120 countries worldwide. The Order focuses on healthcare and humanitarian relief, maintaining strict neutrality and non-involvement in political conflicts. In Palestine, its presence is particularly visible through the management of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, one of the West Bank’s main maternity and child care facilities, alongside its contributions to the health sector and provision of humanitarian assistance in partnership with the Church and local institutions, especially during times of crisis.