Freedom of Religion in the Holy Land

Freedom of Religion in the Holy Land

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

On Palm Sunday, religious leaders of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches were forbidden by Israel to say Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This is an outrage. No government should be allowed to stop any religious service from being held anytime or any place especially in the Holy Land. It is a double slap in the face for this to occur at the beginning of the holiest week of the year. This is the week that commemorates the act of salvation performed by Jesus Christ. Today's gospel reading is a summary of events leading up to Easter Sunday. Maybe some Jewish people do not want this Mass to be held due to the fact that they are ashamed of the violence perpetrated on Jesus by their own kind. As I have heard many times, the Jews did not kill Jesus. Our sins and the sin of Adam and Eve sent Jesus to the cross. The Jewish people should just accept the fact that Jesus paid the price for our sins.

To never have this act of denying Catholics and Orthodox, the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, and all other sites should be ruled by the Catholic and Orthodox Church leaders. After all, they are our sacred shrines, and as Christians we should have unimpeded access to all without government intervention. It is also time that all Catholic and Orthodox hierarchy begin a dialogue for reunification of both Churches. After all, both Churches have the same seven sacraments and legally ordained clergymen. It is my sincere hope that reunification happens soon, and all of us can put our differences behind us forever. By reunification, we will also set an example to all other Christian Churches to come and join us in a noble crusade to fulfill the words of Jesus that “all be one” and bring peace to a troubled world. May God bless the work of reunification, so that when Jesus comes again, there will be peace among the brothers and sisters, and that Jesus will find true faith on earth. Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Laus Deo. Deo Gratias. See you in
Paradise. Amen.