New Jesuit Rector of Tantur

Father John Paul (“JP”), a Jesuit of the Midwest Province in the United States of America, began his job as Rector of Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem on July 1, 2020. The Tantur Ecumenical Institute is situated at a beautiful location on a hill in Jerusalem, near Bethlehem. It serves as a welcoming place in the Holy Land for visitors who come from all over the world to stay at this oasis of learning, community and hospitality. This is the first time a Jesuit has been named rector of the institute that is administered by the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Father John Paul is of Lebanese origin, from a Greek Catholic family.
Although the continuing education and sabbatical programs at Tantur have been “on hold” because of COVID-19, an online Advent Retreat has been taking place in partnership with the Ignatian Spirituality Center and Ignatian Spirituality Community in Geneva and Glasgow Scotland. Since participants cannot come to the Holy Land, Tantur’s Holy Land encounter is going to them! The focus on this Advent retreat is on the season of “announcements” as presented in the Gospels: the announcements to Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, and the world through the shepherds at the Nativity. This online retreat includes a virtual “tour” of the various areas (Nazareth, Jerusalem at the time of the 2nd Temple, the wilderness of the Forerunner, etc) as well as a presentation for reflection. David Neuhaus SJ has generously offered to be one of the presenters. Over 150 from all over the world have registered and participated in this retreat thus far.
In addition to the retreat, JP has also been working with colleagues at the University of Notre Dame in re-doing Tantur’s website. Finally, he has also been working with St. Olaf’s College in Northfield, Minnesota in formulating a 2 month program for their religious studies department to be held in 2023.
It is hoped that soon Tantur and all the other institutions in the Holy Land will be able to open their doors again.