Three months ago, we gave you news of the brothers who were unable to return to Jerusalem following the colloquium of March 6th at the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, either due to the quarantine or for personal reasons. As time has given way to new perspectives, the situation has evolved.
Fr. Jean-Michel de Tarragon OP and Fr. Émile Puech flew from Roissy (Paris) to Tel Aviv on Thursday 16th July, passing through Frankfort-Hahn. The École also regained its vice-director: Fr. Anthony OP was able to return from the United States.
Fr. Jean Jacques Pérennès OP and Fr. Jean-Baptiste OP will have to wait until August — according to the latest news — to be able to leave again and Fr. Antoine Lévy OP is still in Finland, waiting for the possibility of a return.
Fr. Olivier-Thomas Venard OP, Fr. Dominique-Marie Cabaret OP and Fr. Christian Eeckhout OP have decided to stay in France for the time being.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the School has moved on to the rhythm of summer. The vast majority of the students and researchers staying there returned to their respective countries between the beginning of the health crisis and the month of June. The activities of the École, previously slowed down by the crisis, are nevertheless continuing, albeit more quietly and still at a distance for some.
The programmes for next academic year were published in the spring. It remains to be hoped for that visas for students and researchers will be issued in time to allow a normal start to the academic year on October 1st.
Looking forward to the start of the academic year 2020-2021, the members of the École Biblique wish you a pleasant summer.