A Catholic Arab born in Israel still has hope for the synod—and peace in the Holy Land

Margaret Karram, was in Rome as a member of the Synod on Synodality
on Oct. 7, 2023 when she learned her homeland, Israel, was under
attack. Margaret, a Catholic Arab born in Israel, is also the
president of the Focolare Movement, a lay Catholic organization
that promotes unity and fraternity in countries around the world.
Though part of her felt she should leave Rome, she ultimately
decided that the experience of synodality could help Catholics to
become “bridges of peace” in places, like the Holy Land, where hope
for a just end to the conflict is all but lost. Ashley and producer
Sebastian Gomes speak with Margaret about her upbringing, the
Focolare Movement and her experience inside the synod hall. They
ask: - What it was like to learn about Hamas’ attack on her
homeland on Oct. 7 while in the synod hall  - About the
difficulties and blessings she experienced growing up as a Catholic
Arab in a majority Jewish neighborhood in Haifa, Israel - How the
Focolare charism of dialogue and unity can keep Catholics from
despairing when we face situations like the war in the Holy Land,
where peace seems impossible In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley
discuss the ecumenical prayer service held for synod delegates on
the 62nd anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
The vigil was held at the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion and
included readings from Vatican II documents by fraternal delegates.
Plus, in the synod hall, delegates have begun their discussion on
Part III of the instrumentum laboris on “Places,” that is, how the
church lives and proclaims the Gospel in particular contexts and
cultures.  Links from the show:  Synod Diary: At the
synod’s ecumenical prayer service, a cry for unity in a world at
war Cardinal Hollerich: Church is rooted in places and cultures
Learn more about the Focolare Movement  Jesuitical’s synod
coverage is sponsored in part by the Jesuit School of Theology at
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