The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem gathered in Maynooth last Saturday for the investiture of new members. The event took place in the chapel of St Patrick’s College and was presided over by Cardinal Seán Brady, Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy of Ireland.
In total, nine new members were invested into the Lieutenancy for Ireland: seven Knights, one Ecclestical Knight and one Dame. The new members are from Counties Antrim, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
Also in attendance at the event counted were members of the Grand Magisterium, which governs the management of the Order worldwide; H.E. Ambassador Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, Governor General of the Order and H.E. Enric Mas, Vice-Governor for Ibero-America.
Addressing members of the Lieutenancy in the annual Chapter Meeting, Ambassador di Modrone spoke about the current situation in Gaza and Occupied Palestinian Territories. He specifically referenced the recent fatalities and injuries, as a consequence of the bombing of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza and increase in number of violence and arson attacks in Taybeh, the last remaining wholly occupied Christian town in the Holy Land.
The Order has at the moment around 30,000 members, in 60 Lieutenancies and Magistral Delegations present in almost 40 countries. Last year, the Order contributed over €16 million to the Holy Land for Humanitarian Aid, Pastoral Care and Capital Projects. The Lieutenancy of Ireland, since its establishment in 1986, contributed over €5.5 million to support Christians in the Holy Land.
