Catholic officials denied entry to Church of Holy Sepulchre

In a statement published on March 29, the Latin Patriarchate said that, although abiding by restrictions related to the Israeli-US-led war in Iran, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Fr Francesco Ielpo were “stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act, and were compelled to turn back”.

“As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass” at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the patriarchate said.

“This incident is a grave precedent and disregards the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem,” it said.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was among several holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, that have been closed since February 28, after Israel and the US launched their joint attack against Iran.

The Custody of the Holy Land had said in a statement on March 21 it was in dialogue with authorities and was awaiting “clear indications” regarding Holy Week celebrations.

In the joint statement on March 29, the Custody of the Holy Land and the Latin Patriarchate said that since the start of the war, it had complied “with all imposed restrictions”, including cancelling public gatherings and making arrangements for Holy Week celebrations to be broadcast.

Pope Leo XIV expressed concern before praying the Angelus prayer with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to celebrate Palm Sunday. The Pope offered prayers for the Christians of the Middle East “who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days”.

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said the police action was an “unfortunate overreach” that was “difficult to understand or justify”. He noted the two clergymen had attempted to enter the church privately without a procession, and that the current rules concerned religious gatherings of more than 50 people, the BBC reported.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Cardinal Pizzaballa had been asked not to enter the church out of concern for his safety. But Mr Netanyahu said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem will now have “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he had called Cardinal Pizzaballa to express his “great sorrow” over the “unfortunate incident”.

FULL STORY

Israel police stop cardinal entering Church of Holy Sepulchre (By Junno Arocho Esteves/National Catholic Reporter)

Netanyahu says Latin Patriarch will have full access to Jerusalem holy site (BBC)

RELATED STORY

Holy See calls for halt to escalating violence in the Middle East (Vatican News)