Jerusalem: A new chapter in the life of the Church in the Holy Land began on Friday as the region’s bishops inaugurated the Annunciation Theological Institute in Nazareth, the city where Jesus spent much of his earthly life. The center, situated beside the Don Bosco Salesian Church, is the first theological study institution to be established in the Galilee region and will function under the direct supervision of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Holy Land.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who highlighted the significance of planting a center of theological learning in the very land where Christ’s ministry took root. He was joined by Fr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Galilee; Archbishop Bolas Marcuzzo, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Nazareth and the Galilee Regions of Haifa; Archbishop Youssef Matta; and Archbishop Moussa El-Hage, Maronite Archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land. Numerous priests, nuns, and lay faithful also gathered to mark the occasion.
The new institute is envisioned as more than an academic center. Its mission is to provide comprehensive theological formation, combining rigorous intellectual study with spiritual depth. The curriculum will explore theological, moral, and social questions through the lens of divine revelation and Christian tradition, seeking to respond to the complex challenges of today’s society.
In his remarks, Cardinal Pizzaballa underlined that the Institute’s presence in Nazareth carries profound meaning. “Here, where the Word became flesh and lived among us, the study of theology takes on a unique dimension,” he said. “This Institute will be a place not only of academic pursuit but of dialogue, prayer, and a deeper encounter with God.”
The bishops emphasized that the Institute will also foster local ecclesial traditions and encourage interreligious dialogue, especially in a region where Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have coexisted for centuries. By rooting theological reflection in the Holy Land itself, they expressed hope that the center would enrich the global Church’s understanding of faith and culture.
The Annunciation Theological Institute thus stands as both an academic and pastoral initiative, seeking to prepare future leaders, strengthen local communities, and promote unity and peace through faith-inspired dialogue and study.