JERUSALEM (OSV News) — Religious and world leaders condemned the violence that engulfed Jerusalem and the West Bank over the weekend, leaving 10 Palestinians and seven Israelis dead. The violence pushed tensions to an all-time high in recent years and created fears
Saying they feel anguish that the Holy Land continues to be riled in "turmoil, bloodshed and fear," New Zealand's Catholic bishops called for a renewed effort to achieve lasting peace for "ordinary Palestinian peoples" and others living in the troubled land.
The bishops,
Despite the violence and divisions in today's world, it is still possible to see the signs of hope of the Resurrection, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, said in his Easter message.
With pandemic restrictions almost fully lifted, churches and shopkeepers alike are hopeful that the streets of Jerusalem will fill up once again as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge.
Joseph Hazboun, regional director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission in Jerusalem, noted
OSV chaplain Msgr. Owen Campion looks at the recent violence in the Holy Land and offers important historical context as to what each side is fighting for. He writes: “Differences are deep. Feelings of anger, bitterness, despair, prejudice and fear abound. At
A visit to the Holy Land can be transformative for the faith life of Christians.
Among those who work in ministry in the Catholic Church, the monumental and formative experience also finds fertile ground for evangelization.
When Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa makes his first entrance into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as patriarch, he will continue the balancing act of representing everyone in the Holy Land.
"I can't become Palestinian and I can't become Israeli; it doesn't make sense,
For the first time in historical memory, Holy Week and Easter prayers at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus, will be bereft of pilgrims and local Christians celebrating at the holy site,
The Middle East, which continues to face many hardships and challenges, needs the ongoing support of Catholics around the world, a Vatican official said. "Long and exhausting wars continue to produce millions of refugees and strongly influence the future of entire generations,"
After Israel reported that 18 people from a recent South Korean tour group were infected with COVID-19, a coronavirus, a spokesman for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said officials were concerned how the diagnosis would affect Lenten and Easter pilgrimages. Israel has