WCC NEWS: WCC calls for freedom of access to worship in the Holy Land and preservation of the Status Quo of Jerusalem

Following an 11 April statement of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressing grave concerns over announced police restrictions on Holy Fire Saturday, the World Council of Churches (WCC) strongly condemned such measures restricting access to places of worship as violations of religious freedom in the Holy Land. A woman prays in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, 2019. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 12 April 2022 “Jerusalem is sacred,” declared WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “It is sacred for all three monotheistic religions, and access to Jerusalem is an inalienable right for all people of these faiths. Christians have been living on this land and witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ for more than 2000 years. The resurrection is at the heart of our Christian faith and at the heart of all Christian communities in the world. We cannot accept measures that challenge the fundamental rights of our churches to celebrate this centre point of our faith.” For many years, participating in prayers and even having access to churches in the Old City, especially during Easter holidays, has become increasingly difficult. The additional restrictions announced by the authorities for Holy Fire Saturday add to the violations and pressures on the churches in the Holy Land, including attacks on clergy, threats against churches and church properties, and limitations on access to worship. According to the latest announced restrictions, only 1,000 people will be allowed to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and only 500 people will be permitted access to the Patriarchate yards overlooking the roof of the Holy Sepulchre Church in the Old City. Restrictions were also already imposed on Palm Sunday, with only four scout groups participating in the Jerusalem procession while the West Bank scouts that belong to Christian groups were denied permits. In contrast, during the Christmas parade in Bethlehem approximately 25-30 Christian scout groups participate. “WCC joins the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in rejecting and condemning these restrictions as unjustified and unjust,” said Sauca. ”In this Easter season when all Christians yearn to join in celebrating our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call on WCC member churches, world leaders and all people of good will to condemn the measures that restrict freedom of religion, and to support the right of churches in the Holy Land to live and worship with dignity,” Sauca stressed. “We also call on the government of Israel to ensure just access to Jerusalem for all while honouring and preserving the Status Quo of this holy city.” “Any violation of the Status Quo threatens the peace and security of all people of the region. It is our responsibility as members of the international community to protect the legal framework and the applicable international laws.” Sauca concluded with the prayer: “May the divine hope brought to us by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ remove the barriers of separation between people. May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ move the world towards reconciliation and unity.” Statement by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem for Easter 2022 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland