Valencia – Spain – by Sanad Sahelia /Nabd El-Haya – Father Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of the Latin Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh – Ramallah, continues his official visit to Spain, part of ongoing efforts to promote the vision of the Church in Taybeh. This vision is centered on providing employment opportunities, educational, cultural, and social programs, supporting housing projects to sustain the Christian presence in the town, and raising awareness while advocating for justice and peace through international institutions, diplomatic channels, and partnerships with churches and parliaments around the world.
The visit included a series of pastoral and diplomatic meetings aimed at strengthening the presence of Christians in Palestine and building bridges with the Spanish Church, the local community, and decision-makers. Father Fawadleh emphasized that Taybeh’s message, despite the challenges, remains one of life and hope in the heart of the Holy Land.
During his meetings, Father Fawadleh stressed that all local church initiatives stem from Taybeh parish’s clear message: to remain, to serve, and to witness, ensuring that the light of Christ continues to shine in the land despite the suffering. He invited Spanish officials and church representatives to visit Taybeh through the “Come and See” initiative, to experience daily life firsthand, listen to the residents’ stories, witness the resilience of the Christian community in the face of challenges, and return to share what they saw: enduring faith and unwavering hope.
In Valencia, Father Fawadleh met with the Auxiliary Bishop to the Archbishop of Valencia, Monseñor Arturo Javier García Pérez, to discuss spiritual and cultural cooperation between Taybeh parish and the Archdiocese of Valencia, as well as ways to support the Christian community in the Holy Land.
He also participated in a meeting with several members of the Spanish Parliament in Valencia, including Rocío Ibáñez Candelera and Yaissel Sánchez Orta from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). He conveyed messages of peace and hope from Taybeh, highlighting the political, security, and economic challenges faced by Palestinians, with particular attention to the escalating settler attacks on towns in the eastern Ramallah area, similar to other regions of the West Bank.
Father Fawadleh briefed them on the history and religious, cultural, and heritage significance of Taybeh, noting that the town—the only fully Christian community in the West Bank—faces challenges from emigration and declining Christian populations. Yet, he underlined the steadfastness and enduring faith of its residents.
He extended an official invitation to the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, for a solidarity visit to Taybeh, emphasizing that supporting Palestine goes beyond political recognition and statehood—it also requires backing operational and developmental projects that strengthen social and economic stability and limit emigration.
During his address to the parliamentarians, Father Fawadleh thanked the Spanish government and people for supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, while stressing that the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile unless accompanied by a serious and genuine peace process.
In Valencia, Father Fawadleh also met with members of the Caritas center, providing firsthand testimony about the daily reality in Palestine, with a focus on the challenges faced by Taybeh and its Christian community. He further met with the head of the Palestinian community, Rosa Falasteen, and several community members, in a meeting dedicated to strengthening ties between Palestinians in the homeland and the diaspora.
