Equestrian Order Group, England and Wales Lieutenancy, Visits Bethlehem University

On Monday, 8 November, Bethlehem University hosted 100 Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, England and Wales. Mr. Michael Whealen, Lieutenant, led the group.

Upon arrival the guests proceeded to the Social and Cultural Center where they had lunch with students. Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, addressed the group, and expressed gratitude to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher for their continued support and generosity to Bethlehem University.

The Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Hanna Nasser, welcomed the guests in the City of Bethlehem. He spoke of the current economic hardship, and the dangers associated with immigration from the Holy Land. The Mayor expressed hope for a better future with peace and justice.

Mr. Whealen gave Brother Vincent a donation to the Cardinal Hume Endowed Chair for Religious Studies. Brother Vincent expressed a great sense of gratitude for the solidarity and generosity of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, England and Wales, for their support to this most important Chair.

The guests proceeded to Furno Hall where they attended a Multimedia presentation about Bethlehem University, and they held a discussion with Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development, Dr. Jeanne Kattan, of the Faculty of Arts, and Brother David Scarpa, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and students: Ameer Baboun, Rawan Khatir, Yara Obayat, Waleed Al-Hadweh, and Mohammad Radaydeh.

The group toured the campus and were briefed on the significance and background of every station. In the Chapel they were greeted by Brother David Scarpa, in Turathuna: the Palestinian Heritage Center, they were greeted by Mary Morcos, while Brother Cyril Litecky, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, briefed the guests about the view of the area from the high top of the amphitheater. The campus tours were led by Dr. Sami Adwan, Dr. Fouad Bannoura, and Vera Baboun, and students.