The Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem has been canceled over the war taking place between Iran against Israel and the United States. The announcement comes days leading up to Holy Week.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said in a statement, "Due to the war, this year we were unable to experience the traditional Lenten journey in Jerusalem, with the solemn celebrations at the Holy Sepulcher and in the Holy Places of the Passion. Though we were able to pray and prepare personally, we felt the loss of the community journey towards Easter. Now we ask ourselves about the celebrations of Holy Week, the beating heart of our faith, in Jerusalem and at the Holy Sepulcher."
"The restrictions imposed by the conflict and the events of recent days do not bode well for any imminent improvement. In constant dialogue with the competent authorities, together with the other Christian Churches, we are evaluating how, in the ways to be agreed upon, we can celebrate the central Mystery of our salvation in the heart of our Churches. The situation is constantly evolving, and it is not possible to provide definitive indications for the days to come; we will therefore be forced to coordinate on a day-to-day basis," the cardinal added.
Although the situation is fluid, the cardinal emphasized that the Patriarchate's churches will remain open and that priests as well as other clergy will help others participate in prayer and worship as Easter approaches.
"The churches of the Diocese remain open. Parish priests and priests, in the forms and ways that are possible, shall do everything they can to encourage prayer and the faithful's participation in the celebrations of the Paschal Mystery," Cardinal Pizzaballa added in the statement.
The war between Iran against Israel and the United States began with a bombing campaign on February 28 by the allied forces on targets of the Iranian regime leadership. The Department of War has said that the US has heavily degraded Iran's forces in the region.
Cardinal Pizzaballa invited all those who celebrate Easter and the life of Jesus Christ to unify and pray the Rosary for peace on March 28.
“We will do so with humble hearts, certain that our prayer, even while we are physically distant, is capable of drawing upon the strength of God's love, which unites us in a spirit of hope and trust."
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said in a statement, "Due to the war, this year we were unable to experience the traditional Lenten journey in Jerusalem, with the solemn celebrations at the Holy Sepulcher and in the Holy Places of the Passion. Though we were able to pray and prepare personally, we felt the loss of the community journey towards Easter. Now we ask ourselves about the celebrations of Holy Week, the beating heart of our faith, in Jerusalem and at the Holy Sepulcher."
"The restrictions imposed by the conflict and the events of recent days do not bode well for any imminent improvement. In constant dialogue with the competent authorities, together with the other Christian Churches, we are evaluating how, in the ways to be agreed upon, we can celebrate the central Mystery of our salvation in the heart of our Churches. The situation is constantly evolving, and it is not possible to provide definitive indications for the days to come; we will therefore be forced to coordinate on a day-to-day basis," the cardinal added.
Although the situation is fluid, the cardinal emphasized that the Patriarchate's churches will remain open and that priests as well as other clergy will help others participate in prayer and worship as Easter approaches.
"The churches of the Diocese remain open. Parish priests and priests, in the forms and ways that are possible, shall do everything they can to encourage prayer and the faithful's participation in the celebrations of the Paschal Mystery," Cardinal Pizzaballa added in the statement.
The war between Iran against Israel and the United States began with a bombing campaign on February 28 by the allied forces on targets of the Iranian regime leadership. The Department of War has said that the US has heavily degraded Iran's forces in the region.
Cardinal Pizzaballa invited all those who celebrate Easter and the life of Jesus Christ to unify and pray the Rosary for peace on March 28.
“We will do so with humble hearts, certain that our prayer, even while we are physically distant, is capable of drawing upon the strength of God's love, which unites us in a spirit of hope and trust."
