US Edition
WAR CASTS PALL OVER JERUSALEM DURING HOLIDAY SEASON
Catholic leaders said they sought a peaceful Palm Sunday service and live video feed, while Israel cited safety restrictions amid the war with Iran.
- On Sunday, March 29, Israeli security officers prevented the Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Rev. Francesco Ielpo, and two priests from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday services.
- Authorities cited safety concerns amid the war with Iran for closing major holy sites, restricting mass gatherings at locations including the Western Wall and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- Catholic leadership condemned the measure as "manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate," though the Patriarch was permitted to hold services at the All Nations Church in Gethsemane instead.
- Following international backlash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a directive ordering police to provide the Catholic Cardinal access to the church throughout the week leading to Easter.
- Critics argue this policy violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects religious freedom, as the conflict continues to shutter major religious sites across Jerusalem.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The press conference of the two highest Catholic authorities in the Holy Land — the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos, Francesco Ielpo — had been called for days to talk about Easter, but it inevitably ended up turning this Tuesday around the incident, with international repercussions, which both starred two days earlier. On Palm Sunday, the Israeli police prevented them from reaching the Holy Sepulchre, where…
Easter celebrations in Jerusalem will be held behind closed doors this year, the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, announced today. As he told a press conference today, only a few people and a bishop will participate, but efforts will be made to broadcast live around the world.
Holy Week services will be held without an audience, except with a limited number of faithful and a bishop present.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the place where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and later resurrected.
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