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Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Leaders of Holy Land churches condemn Israeli settler violence during a West Bank visit
TAYBEH, West Bank: Top church leaders in the Holy Land asserted Monday that Israeli authorities 'facilitate and enable' the presence of Israeli settlers who have intensified attacks in recent weeks on the only entirely Christian Palestinian village remaining in the occupied West Bank. Speaking in the village, Taybeh, on a rare solidarity visit, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa denounced an incident last week when settlers set fires near the community's church. They said that Israeli authorities failed to respond to emergency calls for help from the Palestinian community. In a separate statement, the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem demanded an investigation into the incident and called for the settlers to be held accountable by the Israeli authorities, 'who facilitate and enable their presence around Taybeh.' The church leaders also said that settlers had brought their cattle to graze on Palestinian lands in the area, set fire to several homes last month and put up a sign reading 'there is no future for you here.' Israel's military did not immediately respond to the allegations. Pizzaballa, the top Catholic cleric in Jerusalem, said he believed the West Bank was becoming a lawless area. 'The only law (in the West Bank) is that of power, of those who have the force, not the law. We must work for the law to return to this part of the country, so anyone can appeal to the law to enforce their rights,' Pizzaballa told reporters. He and Theophilos prayed together in the church of St. George, whose religious site dates back centuries, adjacent to the area where settlers ignited the fires. The statement from the heads of churches comes as Palestinians report a surge of settler violence. On Sunday, hundreds descended on the village of Al-Mazraa a-Sharqiya, south of Taybeh, for the funeral of two young men killed during a settler attack on Friday. The Christian community in Israel and the Palestinian territories has dwindled as a percentage of the overall population over the decades, with experts citing lower birthrates and emigration by people fleeing conflict or seeking better opportunities abroad. Christians now make up a tiny percentage of the population.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Burning of migrant boat effigy in Northern Ireland triggers police investigation
LONDON — Authorities in Northern Ireland are investigating a bonfire that featured effigies of migrants in a boat and a banner reading 'stop the boats'' to determine whether it was a hate incident. Church leaders and politicians complained about the display in Moygashel, a village in County Tyrone about 40 miles (65 miles) west of Belfast, before it was lit Thursday night. Parts of Northern Ireland were gripped by anti-immigrant rioting last month amid tensions surrounding a recent influx of people from Eastern Europe.
National Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Michael Higgins: Expect Pope Leo XIV to bring more liberal controversy
The late Pope Francis was canny enough not to let history write his legacy, deciding instead to ensure it continued after his death. Article content Article content The election of an American, Cardinal Robert Prevost, as Pope Leo XIV, is a surprising first, but many Vatican watchers will see the hand of Francis at work. Article content Of the 133 cardinals who elected Prevost, 108 had been appointed by Francis — the equivalent of stacking the deck with liberals. Article content Francis also appointed Prevost as head of the Dicastery of Bishops in Rome two years ago, a powerful position which meant he would have spoken and engaged with many of the world's cardinals. This familiarity would have boosted his prospects. Article content Article content Leo has already signalled that he intends to continue Francis's legacy, thanking him profusely in his speech from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica and talking of his 'courageous' voice. Article content While that may delight many it will also anger those who felt the late pope was destroying the moral foundations of the papacy and the Church. Article content In his speech Thursday, Leo promised to be a bridge builder. 'We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive like this square with open arms. Everyone — everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue, and love.' One of the key phrases was a 'synodal church' — a church where lay people play a greater part. And this is the legacy Francis wanted to ensure. A synodal church was Francis's greatest reform, his dream. Article content It was also the reform that left conservatives angry on the basis that the Church isn't a democracy. Article content In his speech, Leo pledged to receive and welcome everyone, but it's not going to be that easy. Article content Even supporters of Francis were dismayed that he never went as far in his reforms as they wanted. Women deacons and gay marriage were too much for Francis as they almost certainly will be for Leo. Article content Some of the biggest opponents of Francis were American conservative clergymen and Leo will be well acquainted with them. Like Francis, he will know his enemies. Article content Some people will see changes such as synodality as 'inside baseball' but if the reforms can be long lasting and made institutional they could have a remarkable impact. Women deacons and gay marriage? Maybe not today, but tomorrow? Article content Leo has already supported some liberal initiatives including allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion and allowing same-sex blessings.
