Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem: “When the wounds are bleeding, it is not time to speak of politics”

The situation in the Holy Land remains drastic, with no prospects of improvement in the short term. In this context, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has called on Christians to take a break from political discussions and pray together. 

The Patriarch spoke to a delegation from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which is visiting the Holy Land from July 15-19, to show solidarity with the local Christians and evaluate projects to help the Church in the region. In this meeting, he explained that “the situation is so polarized that if you are close to the Palestinians, the Israelis feel betrayed, and vice versa. When I speak of the suffering of Gaza, Hebrew Catholics tell me about the areas that suffered on October 7th, and on the other side, the Palestinians think only of Gaza. Everybody wants to have a monopoly on the suffering.”  

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is divided into six vicariates: Jordan, Israel, Cyprus, Palestine (including the West Bank and Gaza); one for the Hebrew-speaking Catholics, of whom there are about 1,000; and one for migrants and asylum seekers, of whom there are dozens of thousands.  

“We have Catholics of the Hebrew vicariate serving in the army in Gaza, and we have Catholics being bombed in Gaza. It is not easy,” the Patriarch told ACN. 

“We have to leave politics behind; we have to meet and pray together. Now that the wounds are bleeding, it is not the time to speak of politics. Recognizing the suffering of the other is not that simple when one is suffering,” said the Patriarch. 

The solution, according to Cardinal Pizzaballa, is not a false neutrality, but it is also important that the Church is not dragged into the conflict. “I keep being told that  I need to be neutral. Come with me to Gaza, speak to my people who have lost everything, and then tell me I have to be neutral. It doesn’t work. But we cannot become part of the political clash or the military clash. We have to be a constructive presence. But it is not simple to find the right way.” 

The Patriarchate is doing what it can to help the small Christian community in Gaza, but the situation is so unstable that it is extremely difficult. It can take weeks to get aid into the region, and the reality on the ground is so fluid that it is useless to make long-term plans.  

“We have to leave politics behind; we have to meet and pray together. Now that the wounds are bleeding, it is not the time to speak of politics. Recognizing the suffering of the other is not that simple when one is suffering,”

“It is very difficult to do something for the future of Gaza, but we have priorities. All the schools are destroyed or used as shelters, but the children have already lost one year of studies, and the families want schooling for their children. So we are trying to introduce caravans to serve as schools. But we need to find teachers, and we have to work with what remains of the Palestinian authorities,” he explained. 

Highest unemployment rate in the West Bank

Contrary to what much of the world thinks, Gaza is not the only crisis in the Holy Land. “Everybody is focused on Gaza, and it is catastrophic. A real crime is taking place. But the West Bank is also dramatic. Most of the Christians there depended on tourism, and now there is no work with pilgrims. And those who worked in Israel no longer have permits to enter. We are witnessing the highest unemployment rate in history: 78 percent, particularly among Christians,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said.

ACN has supported projects in the Holy Land for many years, but aid was increased considerably after the October 7th attacks that led to the current war. In fact, it was one of the first organisations to offer help to the Latin Patriarchate.  

“Jerusalem and the Holy Land are always difficult places to live. They are wonderful places, because they are the origins of Christianity, but they are also very difficult, especially in this period of war, when we are facing many challenges. I want to express my appreciation to Aid to the Church in Need and to all its benefactors, for helping our Church continue to live, despite the emergency. This closeness and concrete presence among us is a blessing, as are the support and solidarity of the universal Church for the Mother Church of Jerusalem,” the Patriarch said to the delegation.  

And Cardinal Pizzaballa encouraged the charity to fund more pastoral programs, to help strengthen the faith of the people: “You are present where it is difficult. In pastoral activities, summer camps, and other activities for which fundraising is not always easy. People who help often want to see their name on a plaque, and you can’t put a plaque on formation.”

- Filipe d'Avillez