About 5000 people gathered in protest last Sunday in the vicinity of the Church of the Multiplication in Galilee.
“On Sunday, June 21, the religious leaders of the Holy Land held a peaceful protest to appeal for the protection of the holy places. On June 18, the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish located on the shores of Lake Tiberias was damaged by arson. Many voices have risen up to express solidarity with local Christians. About 5000 people participated in the demonstration calling for justice and peace.”
“Since the early morning, the leaders of the various Christian churches gathered for a prayer service. The coordinator on this occasion was the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem, Mgr. Michel Sabbah, who strongly condemned the act of vandalism during an interview. In his opinion, the church should do its best, hoping that the State of Israel will assume its responsibility on this issue. During a private speech from within the church, the Patriarch Emeritus also shared reflections on the person of Christ in the face of persecution: “Jesus told us that, if someone slaps us on the right cheek, we are invited to offer the other one as well; we are called to be people of peace and forgiveness, ready to forgive everything: the power of love is much stronger.”
“During the demonstration accompanied by a succession of songs and Marian prayers, crosses and Vatican flags were waved. At times, there were posters demanding justice and the participants had to be reminded now and then about the main reason for their gathering there: a prayer for peace.”
Fr. SIMAAN JARAISI
Melkite of Nazareth – Chaplain of the scouts in Galilee
“Negative acts like these are an assault to relationships among nations. We are trying to live in peace, here, in this land..I have lead a large number of scouts: our desire is to build a better world.”
Fr. Inacio, OSB
Benedictine
“The vast majority of Israeli society is neither radical nor violent, however there is a more radical minority and we have been aware of it since last year. There is an ongoing effort to fight the attitude of this minority.”
Fr. SIMAAN JARAISI
Melkite of Nazareth - Chaplain of the scouts in Galilee
“I hope that the leaders of the state, the police, will react with strength and justice and that they will find a peaceful solution to what has happened here, in this monastery.”
“The day ended with the recitation of Vespers, a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all the graces received and for all the blessings of this day.”
“On Sunday, June 21, the religious leaders of the Holy Land held a peaceful protest to appeal for the protection of the holy places. On June 18, the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish located on the shores of Lake Tiberias was damaged by arson. Many voices have risen up to express solidarity with local Christians. About 5000 people participated in the demonstration calling for justice and peace.”
“Since the early morning, the leaders of the various Christian churches gathered for a prayer service. The coordinator on this occasion was the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem, Mgr. Michel Sabbah, who strongly condemned the act of vandalism during an interview. In his opinion, the church should do its best, hoping that the State of Israel will assume its responsibility on this issue. During a private speech from within the church, the Patriarch Emeritus also shared reflections on the person of Christ in the face of persecution: “Jesus told us that, if someone slaps us on the right cheek, we are invited to offer the other one as well; we are called to be people of peace and forgiveness, ready to forgive everything: the power of love is much stronger.”
“During the demonstration accompanied by a succession of songs and Marian prayers, crosses and Vatican flags were waved. At times, there were posters demanding justice and the participants had to be reminded now and then about the main reason for their gathering there: a prayer for peace.”
Fr. SIMAAN JARAISI
Melkite of Nazareth – Chaplain of the scouts in Galilee
“Negative acts like these are an assault to relationships among nations. We are trying to live in peace, here, in this land..I have lead a large number of scouts: our desire is to build a better world.”
Fr. Inacio, OSB
Benedictine
“The vast majority of Israeli society is neither radical nor violent, however there is a more radical minority and we have been aware of it since last year. There is an ongoing effort to fight the attitude of this minority.”
Fr. SIMAAN JARAISI
Melkite of Nazareth - Chaplain of the scouts in Galilee
“I hope that the leaders of the state, the police, will react with strength and justice and that they will find a peaceful solution to what has happened here, in this monastery.”
“The day ended with the recitation of Vespers, a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all the graces received and for all the blessings of this day.”