France’s ANDDP to hold next year’s meeting at Baptism Site in Jordan

AMMAN — The General Assembly of the  National Association of Directors of Christian Pilgrimage in France (Association Nationale des Directeurs Diocésains des Pèlerinages/ANDDP) on Wednesday decided to hold its session next year at the Baptism Site in Jordan, Father Rifat Bader, director of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media, said on Thursday.

He added that with this decision, Jordan will become the first place outside France to convene the assembly since its founding 75 years ago.

He noted that the announcement ceremony was attended by more than 180 directors of pilgrimage trips from France, in addition to the participation of the Jordanian delegation.

Father Rifat said that the event would include several prayer meetings with Christians in Jordan, as well as meetings with Muslim leaders and various activities reflecting Jordan's genuine harmony, which is an integral part of the Holy Land, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Director of Religious Tourism at the Jordan Tourism Board Amer Tawal stressed that the announcement enriches religious tourism and promotes Christian pilgrimage and other trips to Jordan.

Director General of the Baptism Site Commission Rustom Mkhjian said that the announcement was a result of the collective work of the Jordanian team participating in the assembly's meeting and highlighted the high value of Jordan in Christian pilgrimage.

He noted that next year's meeting will be held at the convention centre at the Baptism Site, adding that this is a "big achievement" for the Kingdom's religious tourism.

Mkhjian expected pilgrimage trips to sites related to religious events to start as of March, 2023.