MECC Condemns the Israeli Prevention of Latin Patriarch from Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the events that took place in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, when His Beatitude the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prevented from celebrating the Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This constitutes a clear violation of the special sanctity of these holy sites, as well as the right of access to places of worship and the freedom to practice religious rites.

This unfortunate incident strikes at the very core of fundamental religious rights and represents an infringement on the freedom of believers to observe their religious practices, especially on one of the most sacred occasions in the Christian calendar. It also contravenes the established historical and legal status (Status Quo), which ensures respect for the arrangements in place at the holy sites and their preservation.

While the MECC expresses its full solidarity with the Christians in the Holy City, it emphasizes the necessity of respecting their dignity and religious rights and safeguarding their authentic historical presence in Jerusalem, the City of Peace.

In these difficult times facing the region, the Middle East Council of Churches renews its call to uphold prayer as a source of hope and peace and urges all believers to offer prayers for an end to violence, the establishment of justice, and the realization of peace in the Holy Lands, in Lebanon, and across the Middle East.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).