WCC deeply aggrieved by desecration of Jesus statue in southern Lebanon

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay said that he was deeply aggrieved by the desecration of a statue of Jesus on the cross by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, depicted in a widely-circulated image. 

“We join Christians in the region and around the world in their outrage and denunciation of this affront to the dignity and feelings of Christians everywhere, and in calling for accountability for those involved in perpetrating this act,” he said. “We are very grateful for the expressions of solidarity and support received from many Jewish counterparts and the subsequent effort to restore the statue.”

Sadly, this act is not an isolated incident, but reflective of a wider and growing trend, Pillay noted. “Church leaders of the region confirm this troubling and destabilizing reality, as well as persistent and increasing constraints on freedom of worship,” he said. “Moreover, this incident took place in the context of Israeli military incursions in southern Lebanon which have not only led to this desecration of religious symbols but to the displacement and traumatization of entire communities, many of them Christian.”

Pillay called for an end to the Israeli military action in Lebanon, the swift withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon so that the displaced communities may return to their homes and places of worship, and sustained and effective action to turn the toxic tide of anti-Christian animosity in Israel.

WCC statement on the desecration of a statue of Jesus in Lebanon