Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (Latin: Patriarchatus Latinus Hierosolymitanus) is the Latin Catholic ecclesiastical patriarchate in Jerusalem, officially seated in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was originally established in 1099, with the Kingdom of Jerusalem encompassing the territories in the Holy Land newly conquered by the First Crusade. From 1374 to 1847 it was a titular see, with the patriarchs of Jerusalem being based at the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura in Rome. Pope Pius IX re-established a resident Latin patriarch in 1847.
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Patriarchatus Latinus Hierosolymitanus
הפטריארכיה הלטינית של ירושלים
بطريركية القدس للاتين
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
بطريركية القدس للاتين
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
None; immediately subject to the Holy See
(as of 2012)
161,400
66
- James the Just (As the first bishop of the See of Jerusalem)
- Arnulf of Chocques (As the first Latin patriarch of Jerusalem)
- 33 A.D. (as the establishment of the See of Jerusalem)
- 1099 (as the establishment of the Latin patriarchate under the Holy See)
- 1374 (being a titular see)
- 23 July 1847 (re-establishment and current form)
66
- Jerzy Kraj
- Piotr Zelazko
- Matthew Coutinho
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem is now the archbishop of Latin Church Catholics of the Archdiocese of Jerusalem with jurisdiction for all Latin Catholics in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem also holds the office of grand prior of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The office of Latin patriarch of Jerusalem became vacant on 24 June 2016, and the patriarchate was managed by Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa as apostolic administrator. Pizzaballa was appointed Latin patriarch on 24 October 2020.[1] He took possession of the see on 6 November 2020.
It is exempt, being directly subject to the Holy See (and exceptionally its Roman Congregation for the Oriental Churches, which normally handles Eastern Catholics). It is not within an ecclesiastical province, and has no metropolitan functions.
The title of patriarch in the Latin Church is retained by only five archbishops: the Latin patriarchs of Jerusalem, of the West, of Venice, of Lisbon and of the East Indies. Until 1964, there had also been the honorary patriarchal titles of Constantinople, Alexandria and Antioch; still others were abolished earlier.
Outside the Catholic Church, the title of "Patriarch of Jerusalem" is also used by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, as well as, titularly (along with Alexandria), by the Melkite Patriarch.
The Patriarch is supported by bishops and non-bishop patriarchal vicars:[11]
Statistics and extent[edit]
As per 2015, it pastorally served 293,053 Catholics in 66 parishes with 464 priests (81 diocesan, 383 religious), 9 deacons, 1,652 lay religious (590 brothers, 1,062 sisters) and 55 seminarians. Since then, several parishes have been added and there are now over 70 across four areas in 2023.[14]
The proper Archdiocese of the patriarchal see of Jerusalem has jurisdiction over all Latin Catholics (not Eastern Catholics) in the Holy Land (Israel, Palestine and Jordan) as well as Cyprus. In Jerusalem, the Latin Catholic community is the largest Christian community, with some 4,500 people out of an estimated Christian population of about 11,000.[15]
Special churches[edit]
In Jerusalem, the patriarch has his Cathedral archiepiscopal see, a Minor Basilica and World Heritage Site: the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as the Co-Cathedral, also a World Heritage Site: Co-Cathedral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and four other Minor Basilicas and World Heritage Sites: Basilica of the Agony, Basilica of St. Stephen, Dormition Abbey of the Virgin Mary and St. Anne’s Church.
Other cities in the archdiocese have more Minor Basilicas: Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Basilica of the Transfiguration in Mount Tabor, Carmelite Monastery of Stella Maris in Haifa and St. Cleophas Church in El Qubeibeh, and two other World Heritage Sites, both in Bethlehem : Church of St. Catherine and Church of the Nativity.
Prior to the Great Schism, there were no separate Latin and Greek Orthodox Churches, and thus no separate patriarchs. For patriarchs of Jerusalem of the unified Church prior to the Schism, see Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem itself was lost in 1187; seat of the patriarch moved (with the kingdom in retreat) to Acre.
Acre lost in 1291; see in exile moved to Cyprus, then Rome after 1374; titular patriarchs until 1847.
The Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land held the title from 1342 to 1830 under the Papal bull Gratiam agimus by Pope Clement VI. The bull declared the Franciscans as the official custodians of the Holy Places in the name of the Catholic Church, "unless someone was specifically appointed in the honorary office".
During the Western Schism, the patriarch was appointed by both popes resulting in overlapping appointments.
Restoration of resident Latin patriarchs of Jerusalem in 1847.
Latin patriarchate hierarchy re-established in 1889.