He especially praised the forum offered by the Vatican's Synod for the Middle East last October. The two-week meeting, he said, gave Church leaders the ability to "put our fingers on our wounds and our fears, and at the same time express our expectations and our hopes."
One of the major concerns to emerge during the Synod was the protection of religious freedom in the Middle East and the importance of pursuing open dialogue and not resorting to violence. The message of the Synod served to call Christians to be active in public life and to build up their communities, said Patriarch Twal.
This call is especially powerful in Jerusalem, where many Christians are emigrating because of the violence between Palestine and Israel, he added.
He highlighted the Synod's emphasis on improving relations with other Christian denominations and religions in the Middle East and hoped that all segments of society would take part in efforts to improve relations.
Despite the failure of the most recent talks between Israel and Palestine, the patriarch remained hopeful about negotiations for peace and religious freedom in the Holy Land.
"We believe that nothing is impossible with God," Patriarch Twal said. The Church seeks "to carry out the wishes sang by the angels on Christmas night : 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'."