Palestine's Catholic Churches Observe Easter Amid Israeli Aggressions

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Catholic and Latin churches in Palestine on Sunday, March 31, 2024, observed this year's Easter Sunday amid Israeli military aggression in Gaza and tensions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, led the Easter Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The service was attended by bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and a limited number of worshippers, mostly from Jerusalem and the 1948 territories. However, thousands of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank were prevented by Israeli authorities from entering the holy city. Israeli forces imposed strict military measures around Jerusalem and its Old City, increasing the intensity of security at checkpoints.

The Old City in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem is home to shrines of three different religions: the Wailing Wall, a holy place of prayer and pilgrimage for Jews, the Shakhrah Dome at the center of the Al Aqsa Mosque complex, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built in the fourth century.

Both Muslims and Christians of Palestine are required to obtain permits to cross into Jerusalem to worship, and these are often granted based on age or limited quotas.

Churches have canceled most of their religious celebrations amid the ongoing atrocities happening in Gaza since last year. According to local media, this year's Easter celebrations were limited to Mass, prayers, and religious rites.

Despite travel restrictions and flight cancellations due to Israeli attacks, Christians from various countries managed to reach Jerusalem in limited numbers. However, they faced challenges crossing through the Israeli-controlled King Hussein Bridge.

In Bethlehem, Easter Mass was held at St. Catherine's Church, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity. Similar services were also held at Catholic churches in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala. While in Jericho, Easter Mass was held at the Latin Parish Church of the Good Shepherd.

Easter Mass in Gaza City took place at the Latin Church of the Holy Family, despite constant attacks by the Israeli forces. Father Youssef Asaad presided over the Mass, participated by displaced citizens of Gaza who have sought refuge in the church since October 7, 2023.

Father Gabriel Romanelli of the Latin church wrote an Easter devotional message released by the Holy See's official news portal, Vatican News. He reflected on the resurrection of Jesus, three days after the crucifixion on Golgotha Hill in Jerusalem, which he compared to the current situation in Gaza.

"As for the Calvary of Gaza, today it is also a disaster: so many dead! Wounded, sick, hunger, people left to their fate, hostages and prisoners, loneliness, and depression," Father Romanelli said, as quoted from Vatican News. The priest also wrote that humans cannot cover the sun with their hands or pretend thinking that the reality in Gaza is fine.

WAFA | VATICAN NEWS

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