Amman, Oct. 21 (Petra) — The Catholic Center for Studies and Media
welcomed the Cabinet’s decision to designate the Baptism Site of
Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas) as a 10-square-kilometer nature reserve
within Jordan’s national network of protected areas, describing the
move as an important step toward preserving the site’s religious,
historical and environmental significance.

The center said the decision takes on added importance as Jordan
prepares to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of
Jesus Christ in 2030.

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), the center’s director,
Father Rifaat Bader, said the Baptism Site should be viewed as more
than a historical landmark or religious pilgrimage destination. He
described it as a sacred place where Christian faith and the natural
environment converge, marking the location where Jesus Christ was
baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

Bader stressed that preservation efforts should extend beyond the
site’s archaeological and religious landmarks to encompass its
natural surroundings, including the river, valleys, vegetation, and
biodiversity, which form an integral part of its identity and
spiritual significance.

He noted that Christian pilgrimage is not merely a journey to a
sacred destination but also a spiritual experience through which
believers seek to renew their faith and draw closer to God.

Preserving the tranquility and natural landscape surrounding the
Baptism Site, he said, would enrich pilgrims’ spiritual experiences
and provide an environment conducive to prayer and reflection while
maintaining the site’s authenticity and sanctity.

Bader said the decision aligns with Christian teachings on humanity’s
responsibility to care for creation. He referred to the Book of
Genesis, which emphasizes humanity’s duty to care for and preserve
the Earth, as well as Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’,
which calls for protecting the planet as a common home and links
environmental protection with human dignity and justice between
generations.

He emphasized that preparations for the 2030 jubilee present a
historic opportunity for Jordan to establish a global model combining
sustainable religious tourism with the preservation of natural and
cultural heritage.

The objective, he said, should extend beyond attracting larger
numbers of pilgrims to providing a comprehensive pilgrimage
experience that brings together faith, history and nature, reflecting
Jordan’s distinctive spiritual standing among Christian pilgrimage
destinations worldwide.

Bader called for developing environmentally sustainable pilgrimage
routes and educational programs for visitors and tour guides that
integrate biblical, historical and environmental perspectives. Such
initiatives, he said, would strengthen pilgrims’ awareness of the
importance of protecting the site where Jesus Christ was baptized.

He also expressed the readiness of the church and religious
institutions to contribute to preservation efforts in coordination
with the relevant government authorities. These contributions could
include awareness campaigns, educational activities and volunteer
initiatives involving young people, parishes, schools and
environmental organizations in protecting the site, its waters and
biodiversity, while respecting the legal and administrative
responsibilities of the relevant authorities.

Bader said declaring the Baptism Site a nature reserve sends a
message from Jordan to the world that preserving sacred places is
inseparable from protecting the natural environment. He added that
genuine faith calls for respecting creation and safeguarding the
heritage passed down by previous generations.

The best preparation for the 2030 jubilee, he said, involves not only
developing infrastructure and welcoming pilgrims but also protecting
the land, water and natural surroundings associated with the biblical
event.

Bader stressed that the Baptism Site is more than a place to visit,
describing it as a sacred responsibility and a Jordanian message of
faith, peace and spiritual renewal for future generations.

//Petra// AJ