OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
The Latin Patriarchate in Occupied Jerusalem has said that following international pressures and reactions, the Israeli police have reversed their decision to bar Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of the holy city, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City to hold the Palm Sunday service.
Father William Shomali, an auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, told Al Jazeera satellite channel on Wednesday that Israeli police held a meeting with the Patriarch and decided, as of Thursday, to allow a limited number of clergy to perform prayers inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, provided that entry and exit take place through the official gate.
Father Shomali voiced hope that the police’s decision would be broadened to include other Palestinian churches as well.
Father Shomali noted that during the meeting, the Patriarch called for reopening the Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshipers, who have been barred by Israeli police from accessing it since the war on Iran began on February 28.
Several world leaders have voiced concern after Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher last Sunday.
Pizzaballa had attempted to enter the church within Jerusalem’s Old City with Father Francesco Ielpo, the church’s official guardian, to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
It said the two were stopped en route and forced to turn back, marking “the first time in centuries” that Palm Sunday Mass could not be celebrated at the church.
