A centuries-old precedent: The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was barred from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
This morning, on Sunday, Israeli police stopped His Beatitude Cardinal Pier Battista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, along with Father Francesco Ilbo, OFM, the Custody of the Holy Land and keeper of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, from entering the church while they were on their way to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land stated in a joint statement that His Beatitude and Father Francesco were stopped while walking separately, without any ceremonial or ritualistic displays, and were forced to turn back, which prevented them from reaching the church.
Since the beginning of the Israeli-American conflict with Iran, occupation authorities have shut the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, citing a "state of emergency and Home Front Command directives."
The statement noted that this is the first time in centuries that Church leaders have been prohibited from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The statement concluded that this incident establishes a harmful precedent and dismisses the sentiments of billions worldwide who are looking to Jerusalem this week.
He highlighted that the church leaders acted responsibly and followed all restrictions from the start of the war. Public gatherings were canceled, attendance was banned, and broadcasts were organized to reach hundreds of millions of believers worldwide, especially during Easter when many focus on Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
The statement pointed out that denying entry to the Cardinal and the Custody of the Holy Land, who hold the highest ecclesiastical authority for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, was clearly an unreasonable and overly harsh action.
It stated that this rushed and fundamentally flawed decision, driven by poor reasoning, clearly violates the core principles of rationality, freedom of worship, and respect for the existing order.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land conveyed their heartfelt sorrow to Christian faithful in the Holy Land and worldwide due to the prohibition of prayer on one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar.
Today marks the start of Holy Week for Christian communities, the week after Great Lent. It is regarded as one of the most sacred times in Christianity, marked by daily prayers and church services that commemorate Jesus Christ's Passion. The week ends with Good Friday, remembering the crucifixion, and Holy Saturday, featuring the Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Easter Sunday, the climax of the Christian holiday, then follows.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced that the traditional Palm Sunday procession will be canceled this year. Normally, it takes place annually from the Church of Bethpage on the Mount of Olives to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City.
